Mets Face Tough Decision on Extending Ace Freddy Peralta

David Stearns' contract approach may need to change to keep the star pitcher long-term.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New York Mets will need to decide whether to extend star pitcher Freddy Peralta long-term, but that may require a shift in the team's front office approach under David Stearns, who has historically been hesitant to offer big, long-term contracts to pitchers.

Why it matters

Peralta has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past several seasons, and the Mets will need to weigh the value of keeping him against Stearns' preference for relying on younger, more controllable arms that fit the team's roster construction style.

The details

Peralta, 29, has pitched at least 165 innings in each of the last three seasons and is projected to have another strong campaign in 2026. However, the Mets' front office, led by Stearns, has typically avoided offering big, long-term contracts to pitchers, instead preferring to rely on younger, controllable arms like Jonah Tong, who is expected to be a front-line starter in the majors soon.

  • Peralta has been dependable for the Mets over the past several seasons, pitching at least 165 innings every year since 2023.
  • Peralta is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, putting pressure on the Mets to decide whether to extend him long-term.

The players

Freddy Peralta

The ace of the New York Mets' pitching staff, Peralta has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past several seasons.

David Stearns

The head of the Mets' front office, Stearns has historically been hesitant to offer big, long-term contracts to pitchers, preferring to rely on younger, more controllable arms.

Jonah Tong

A top pitching prospect in the Mets' minor league system, Tong is expected to be a front-line starter in the majors soon.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For at least the last three seasons, the 29-year-old Peralta has been dependable, pitching at least 165 innings every year of that stretch, and another healthy, strong campaign in 2026 will only strengthen his chances of getting that long-term, big-money contract from somewhere.”

— Joe Pantorno, amNewYork writer (amNewYork)

“The Mets' appetite to fulfill that wish, though, is murky at best. Not only does Stearns not pay up for pitching, but Jonah Tong is brewing in the minors and projects to be a front-line starter upon his full introduction to the majors.”

— Joe Pantorno, amNewYork writer (amNewYork)

What’s next

The Mets will need to decide whether to offer Peralta a long-term contract extension before he hits free agency after the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Mets face a tough decision on whether to extend Freddy Peralta long-term, as his performance has made him one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the team's front office under David Stearns has historically been hesitant to offer big contracts to pitchers, instead preferring to rely on younger, more controllable arms.