In acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets, the Rays tapped into their deep farm system without giving up a prospect rated higher than No. 15.
In return for the 30-year-old righthander, Tampa Bay parted with a trio of minor leaguers: 22-year-old outfielder Aidan Smith (Rays’ No. 15 prospect), 21-year-old righthanded pitcher Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) and 23-year-old second baseman Emilien Pitre (No. 27).
“We’re excited to welcome Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays,” said Rays president and head of baseball operations, Erik Neander, in a statement. “Freddy is a proven major league starter with high-stakes experience and a strong track record. Adding a pitcher and competitor of his caliber strengthens our team as we push forward.”
Peralta, who was acquired by the Mets in January from Milwaukee, joins an already-strong Tampa Bay rotation. Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, both all-stars, have been among MLB’s best starters all season. Shane McClanahan has rebounded nicely from missing the past two seasons and Griffin Jax, who began this season in the bullpen, has been effective in a starting role for the first time since his rookie season of 2021 when he was with the Twins.
Though desirable to begin with, a need for a starter was heightened when McClanahan exited a July 30 start against Texas due to back tightness. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with the hope he will miss no more than a couple of starts. The lefty missed the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to Tommy John surgery and a triceps injury, respectively.
The Rays have also utilized Ian Seymour as a starter and bulk reliever behind an opener.
“I am very excited, certainly given that (McClanahan) is down, to be able to slot him in,” said manager Kevin Cash, of Peralta, following a 9-1 loss to the White Sox on Sunday that was as unsightly as the final score.
Peralta, a teammate of Rasmussen’s in Milwaukee, is a two-time all-star who spent eight seasons with the Brewers. His best showing was last year (17-6, 2.70 ERA) when he led the National League in wins and was fourth in ERA. He went 70-42, with 3.59 ERA as a Brewer.
Ozzie Timmons was the Brewers’ hitting coach for three seasons (2022-24) before returning for a second stint on Cash’s staff with the Rays. He has plenty of good things to say about the acquisition, including a comparison to a well-liked shortstop who was with Timmons in Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.
“He’s a great teammate, a competitor and he works hard,” said Tampa Bay’s assistant hitting coach. “He’s a good person, a family man, has a lot of energy. He reminds me of Willy Adames.”
Peralta, a free agent after this season, struggled in Queens in going 5-9, 4.99. He is making $8 million this season with Rays responsible for a prorated $2.4 million, which should allow them to make other moves, including strengthening the lineup. The middle of the infield, in particular, has struggled offensively and with precious little power.
After allowing four runs in five innings to pick up the win on Opening Day against Pittsburgh, Peralta was winless (0-3) in six April starts despite an ERA of 2.97. Beginning with a May 29 start against Miami and through his final outing with New York on July 26 against the Dodgers, Peralta had a 6.71 ERA in 11 starts. Alas, that is yesterday’s news as Peralta can look forward to joining a stellar rotation and coaching staff that includes pitching guru Kyle Snyder.
“He’s going to love this place,” said Jax. “We call him “Fastball Freddy” and anytime anybody with a good heater steps on this mound (at Tropicana Field), it’s generally pretty favorable.”
The Rays begin a nine-game road trip in Colorado on Monday night.