The Tampa Bay Rays added to one of the major leagues’ better rotations on Sunday by acquiring two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets in exchange for three prospects.
The Rays, who boast the best record in the American League, sent right-hander Gary Gill Hill, second baseman Emilien Pitre and center fielder Aidan Smith to the Mets one day before the major league trade deadline.
Peralta, moved by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Mets in the offseason in anticipation of being the ace for a pennant contender, struggled during his four months in New York.
The 30-year-old Dominican Republic native posted a 5-9 record and 4.99 ERA in 22 starts for the Mets while averaging a career-low 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He can declare for free agency at season’s end.
Peralta joins a solid rotation that boasts Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.91 ERA), Nick Martinez (10-3, 2.77), Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.09) and Griffin Jax (6-8, 3.74), though McClanahan is on the injured list with a back issue.
Hill, 21, was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft. He has posted a 4-3 record with a 4.43 ERA in 15 starts for Double-A Montgomery after opening this season at High-A Bowling Green. Pitre, a second-round pick in 2024, has fashioned a .308/.438/.447 slash line this season while splitting time between Montgomery and Bowling Green.
Smith, 22, has spent most of his season at Bowling Green, where he has posted a .215 average with 10 homers and 14 steals in 49 games. The Rays acquired him in 2024 as the top prospect in a deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Seattle.
Smith was rated as the Rays’ No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline. Hill at No. 26 and Pitre at No. 27 in the Rays’ deep system.
