The Detroit Tigers are looking for pitching help with ace Tarik Skubal heading for elbow surgery, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has tabbed the New York Mets as a trade partner.
Feinsand lists Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes as potential candidates for a Mets trade. New York has stumbled out of the gates, posting a 13-22 record over the opening month of action. The club did escape the basement of the league with a win over the Colorado Rockies. The Los Angeles Angels now have the league’s worst record. Still, the Mets sit in dead last in the NL East.
Detroit is set to be without the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner for an extended period. Skubal will have surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
Detroit Tigers Could Target Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes in New York Mets Trade After Tarik Skubal Diagnosis
Detroit went with a bullpen game on Monday, May 4, following the Skubal news. The star lefty was slated to take the ball against the Boston Red Sox. He was scratched from the start and soon went to the IL after his elbow diagnosis was revealed. The Tigers’ rotation now consists of Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, and Keider Montero. Skubal, Justin Verlander, and Casey Mize are on the injured list. Troy Melton remains out.
Peralta is coming off one of his best starts of the season. He allowed one earned run over six innings against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, April 30. Peralta was in line for his first win since Opening Day, but CJ Abrams launched a go-ahead home run off reliever Luke Weaver, and the Mets fell 5-4.
The outing against the Nationals was just the second time this season that Peralta completed six innings. He’s generally kept runs off the board, but inefficiency has limited his ability to work deep into games. Peralta has a 1-3 record despite a solid 3.52 ERA. He’s struck out more than a batter per inning while keeping walks relatively in check. The pending free agent would be a desirable option for a contending team.
Clay Holmes Trade Would Save $12 Million
GettyClay Holmes of the New York Mets
Holmes is off to a strong start in 2026. The veteran right-hander has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all seven outings. Holmes picked up his fourth win last time out with 6.2 innings of one-run ball against the Angels. Two home runs from Mark Vientos provided more than enough run support for Holmes, who recorded his third straight quality start in the 5-1 win.
The Mets signed Holmes to a three-year, $38 million deal heading into the 2025 season. The final year of the agreement is a $12 million player option. Holmes is currently pitching well enough that he’d likely forego the option and hit free agency. If he regresses to his 2025 form, New York could be on the hook for eight figures in 2027. Sending Holmes to the Tigers would prevent the Mets from having to pay the veteran starter for next season, which may be attractive considering the cost of the roster.
Mets’ Peralta, Holmes Named Trade Targets for Tigers After Skubal Injury