🚨 NEW YORK METS TARGET FREDDY PERALTA: CAN THE ALL-STAR RIGHT-HANDER BE EXTENDED OR WILL HE TEST FREE AGENCY? 🚨

New York, NY – The New York Mets have expressed serious interest in extending the contract of All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta, signaling their intent to keep the electric pitcher in their rotation for the long haul. Peralta, who was traded to the Mets in the offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers, has made a strong early impression in New York, but his future with the team remains uncertain.

Peralta’s tenure with the Brewers was closely tied to David Stearns, the general manager during his time in Milwaukee, and who now serves as the Mets’ president of baseball operations. With Stearns now overseeing the Mets’ operations, the connection between the two has sparked speculation about Peralta’s future with the club, particularly given his past success and the Mets’ current pitching needs.

The 29-year-old two-time All-Star has gotten off to a solid start with the Mets, boasting a 1-0 record and a 4.80 ERA through his first three starts in the NL East. This follows the offseason trade that saw top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat sent to Milwaukee in exchange for the right-hander.

However, when asked by MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo about the possibility of an extension, Peralta remained tight-lipped, responding with “No comments about that” when probed about his future in New York. This has only fueled speculation, as many wonder whether he and the Mets will be able to strike a deal, or if Peralta will seek a new opportunity in free agency.

If an extension doesn’t materialize, Freddy Peralta may still find himself in a strong position when he hits free agency. According to FanSided’s Robert Murray, the righty could command a sizeable contract on the open market. Murray notes that Peralta’s profile aligns closely with that of Dylan Cease, another talented right-handed pitcher who recently signed a seven-year, $210 million contract.

“Still, an extension was a long shot before Opening Day,” Murray wrote on Friday. “He feels primed to play out the final year of his contract and become a free agent, and MLB Trade Rumors mentions that his profile lines up with a similarly electric if occasionally maddening righty in Dylan Cease — who just signed a seven-year, $210 million contract.”

Peralta, who has long been considered one of the more reliable starters in baseball, is on the right side of 30 and could very well prefer to test the waters of free agency. Given his track record of success and potential for dominance on the mound, there will likely be no shortage of suitors should he decide to explore his options outside of New York.

The Mets could face an uphill battle in trying to lock him up long-term, as the allure of free agency — and the opportunity for a lucrative deal — could prove tempting for Peralta. However, with Stearns at the helm in New York, it remains to be seen whether the Mets can pull off a deal that would see the right-hander stay with the team beyond this season.

As of now, Freddy Peralta’s future remains in limbo, but one thing is clear: his status as one of the league’s most electric and dependable pitchers means he’ll have plenty of options, whether he stays with the Mets or tests the free-agent market.