“Might have ruined his anniversary dinner”: Matt Arnold trades Freddy Peralta to David Stearns on wedding anniversary

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the MLB offseason came last week, when the Milwaukee Brewers sent All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets as part of a three-way deal that sent shockwaves throughout the league. This was a completely normal trade that was semi-announced late at night, but with a bizarre personal spin, as Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold joked that the timing might have been right in the middle of Mets executive David Stearns' wedding anniversary dinner.

"I think I might have ruined his anniversary dinner." The comment, though lighthearted in tone, concealed the gravity of the step. Peralta, one of the more unheralded but durable starting pitchers in the National League in recent years, now moves to New York amid the Mets' push to upgrade their roster. The right-hander was also included in the deal for the Mets, which sent top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat back to Milwaukee

Freddy Peralta gives Mets a frontline rotation anchor

Freddy Peralta comes into New York after a career season. The 29-year-old righty, who had 17 wins and a 2.70 ERA last year, solidified his status as one of the most reliable starters in the game. His ability to miss bats, pitch deep into games, and deliver consistent results made him one of the most sought-after pitchers on the trade market.


For the Mets, it was an unmistakable sign of a window to contend. The front office made it a priority to add stability to the pitching staff after the team missed the postseason in 2022. Peralta now slots into a rotation that had been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency near the top, a rotation that had struggled. His induction provides the team with a veteran arm to join its other pitchers as the organization attempts to compete in an overcrowded National League.

Throw in Tobias Myers, for whom New York traded, and you add even more depth that gives New York flexibility as both a starter and reliever, if they may need to go to their roster.

Brewers embrace future with Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat

Milwaukee, on the other hand, sees the trade as sending a clear message to the organization that it's still committed to the long-term vision. With Peralta entering the later portion of team control, the Brewers were able to acquire two high-upside young players who will help the next wave of talent.

Jett Williams adds some more athleticism, speed, and on-base ability, and Brandon Sproat falls in the power-pitching, high-upside long-term profile. Either is seen as a critical cornerstone for a club trying to balance success with the need to pay bills. But there is a right time for everything and a right value for any given player, even a good player, a really good player, and that was the case in this situation.


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