It always made sense to put David Peterson on the trade block. If you’re going to turn the bucket over and shake, a pitcher who burnt out in the final weeks and isn’t under team control next year makes a lot of sense for the New York Mets to trade right now. He’s in his final year of arbitration eligibility with an expected payday of about $9.2 million. There is appeal that, if used differently, teams can avoid what befell Peterson after crossing about 120 innings last season.
After coming up with five types of trades involving Peterson where he is swapped for a more expensive starting pitcher, and hopefully a better one, we can turn our attention to alternatives. Maybe Peterson isn’t necessarily the guy used to acquire a starter, but can be utilized in a trade to fill first base or the outfield.
These are the types of David Peterson trade packages fans are putting together
The Houston Astros are a team with no pitching to spare and in great need of some. They’re operating on a tightened budget. Position players like Jake Meyers and Christian Walker would be of some interest to the Mets. Walker, if the Astros ate some of the contract, seems to definitely match the Mets’ needs. There is room to grow the trade further with the inclusion of a player like Meyers and another piece going back to Houston. Climbing Tal’s Hill explored some of the depths of why Peterson would be a perfect addition to their roster.
Willson Contreras is the other first baseman fans are wondering about on social media. Their hope of shedding his salary and hitting the reset button doesn’t quite align with acquiring Peterson although they probably would if a secondary player makes them drool enough.
Peterson’s contract allows the Mets some flexibility in terms of destinations. He has some of the same risks as other subtractions they could make from the rotation. Kodai Senga costs more and would be a huge gamble for any team to acquire him both performance and healthwise. On top of that, the best of what he can offer the Mets trumps Peterson.
The Baltimore Orioles, who are collecting 2025 Mets with Ryan Helsley and Pete Alonso now there, may be a match as well. The Mets made two trades with them over the summer. Their huge selection of position players would surely be able to fill some holes on the Mets roster. Ryan Mountcastle is now relegated to the bench. The Mets would want to aim for someone with added control. Rising Apple’s John Wolff previously explored the idea of swapping Senga for Colton Cowser. This may better align with what the Mets would desire to accomplish in a trade involving Peterson.