The New York Mets began their 2026 season on March 26 with newly acquired ace Freddy Peralta on the mound. The decision to make the star the opening day starter was fairly easy. After all, he posted dominant numbers in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Rookie Nolan McLean may be the future in New York, but Peralta is the team’s best pitcher right now.
Despite this, there are growing concerns regarding Peralta’s future with the Mets. While he was acquired in the offseason in the blockbuster trade, the ace is in the final year of his contract. As a result, he will be looking for a long-term deal soon. Peralta recently told the New York Post that he would “love to stay” with the Mets long-term. Nevertheless, the pitcher also revealed that he is looking for a seven or eight-year deal.
If he sticks to this, New York may have a problem. It was reported in December that the Mets do not like giving starting pitchers lengthy contracts. SNY reporter Chelsea Janes has since pointed out that Mets GM David Stearns has only given out similar deals twice in his career as an exec. Both contracts involved dynamic hitters in Christian Yelich and Juan Soto.
Although Stearns is clearly careful with significant contracts, Mets owner Steve Cohen is not. As Janes hints, if the billionaire wants a superstar, he can throw his weight around to help facilitate a deal. This notion could very well affect the Peralta talks. While the Mets ace is a top pitcher, there may be a bigger fish to fry. Detroit Tigers superstar Tarik Skubal is also set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.
New York Mets Still Predicted to Target Tarik Skubal
GettyTarik Skubal is widely regarded as one of the top pitchers in baseball.
While Peralta could still land a long-term deal in New York, Skubal may become the prime target for Cohen. “Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to push to sign superstars even beyond the comfort level of his front office,” writes Janes. “Does Peralta, who will be 30 at season’s end, rise to that level? Or perhaps more importantly, does he rise to that level over a 30-year-old lefty named Tarik Skubal, who will become a free agent this winter, too?”
Skubal has seemingly been linked with a potential move to New York for months now. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince was one of many baseball reporters to believe that the Mets would land the Tigers’ ace in the offseason. Although a deal never materialized, Skubal’s time in Detroit seems somewhat limited. As a result, Castrovince believes the Mets will target Skubal once again.
Peralta May Eventually Become Backup Plan for Mets
Castrovince, however, is not alone in his assessment. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden is also predicting that New York will ultimately land Skubal. Nevertheless, the former Washington Nationals exec believes that the Mets will have to wait until free agency next year to make their move.
Cohen’s potential pursuit of Skubal would clearly be bad news for Peralta. The Mets are not likely to give both pitchers long-term contracts. If, however, Skubal is off the board later this season, the Mets may very well rekindle extension talks with their ace.
Peralta got off to a bit of a rocky start with New York. He allowed four earned runs, including two home runs to Brandon Lowe, in five innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26.
Mets Contract Talks with Ace Fade as Skubal Links Continue