Latest MLB Trade Rumors on Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Edward Cabrera, Mets & More

As the New York Mets continue to scour the market for ways to improve their starting rotation, Tarik Skubal could still be an option, but there are other candidates they seem more likely to target at this point.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Mets "remain seriously interested" in adding a frontline starter, with Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers and Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins specifically cited as potential trade targets.

The report also notes the Mets could look to sign free-agent starter Framber Valdez, but they would be interested in that if he would be willing to accept a short-term contract with a higher average annual salary.

Skubal's status remains intriguing because Rosenthal and Sammon wrote it "remains a possibility" the Detroit Tigers deal the two-time American League Cy Young winner.

In the wake of losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz in free agency, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network reported on Dec. 11 that Mets officials were "debating whether to go all in with big-time young players for Skubal, or wait until winter and try to do a free-agent deal for what will likely be record bucks."

It wouldn't be a surprise if a team like the Mets were to sign Skubal as a free agent next offseason, but that still leaves them with a lot of rotation question marks for 2026.

Peralta would solve their short-term need because he is only under contract through next season, but Rosenthal and Sammon noted the Brewers have put a high price on him in a trade with an MLB-ready starting pitcher considered to be "part of the desired return."

The Mets could do that if they wanted to trade Jonah Tong, but giving up a 22-year-old with a lot of promise for Peralta with one year of control remaining wouldn't be great business.

Cabrera would come at an even higher cost because he's only 27 and under team control through 2028. The right-hander had a breakout 2025 season with a 3.53 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 137.2 innings in 26 starts for the Marlins.

Any expectations for the Mets rotation in 2026 right now are largely built on Nolan McLean becoming a frontline starter after an impressive showing following his late-season call-up, but the depth behind him is an issue.

David Peterson and Clay Holmes are capable of eating innings, but they have limited ceilings. Kodai Senga has dealt with injuries in each of the past two seasons, including shoulder and calf issues in 2024 that limited him to one start.

Sean Manaea is penciled in to the rotation at this point, but his 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances last season will have him on thin ice.

The Mets have worked to fix other areas of their roster this offseason. They hope the addition of Marcus Semien improves the defense. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver will add depth to the bullpen, with Williams taking over at closer after Díaz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Even with these moves, the Mets still seem like they have a lot of work to do to compete with the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the NL East. There are options available to them if they are willing to act aggressively.