The New York Mets are in the midst of a nightmare 2026 season, and the whispers around the league are growing louder. After a brutal 12-game losing streak and the worst record in Major League Baseball, the front office is facing some tough questions—and according to one MLB executive, the answer could come at the trade deadline in the form of a surprising departure.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com recently conducted an annual executives poll, asking 20 front-office members to predict the biggest name moved by the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. The result? One vote went to none other than Freddy Peralta—a pitcher the Mets just acquired this past offseason. That's right: the same Freddy Peralta who was brought in to bolster the rotation could be shipped out just months later.

On paper, it makes sense. Peralta is playing on an expiring contract, and for a team that might be selling, flipping a rental for long-term assets is textbook deadline strategy. But here's where it gets complicated. The Mets aren't your typical seller. They carry one of the highest payrolls in baseball, and trading a player they just brought in—especially one they reportedly want to extend—would be a tough pill to swallow for fans and the clubhouse alike.

What makes this prediction even more surprising is a recent report from ESPN's Jorge Castillo, which named Peralta as one of three "untouchable" pitchers on the Mets' roster, alongside Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes. That designation suggests the team sees Peralta as a key piece for the future, not a trade chip for the present.

Still, with the season spiraling, it's too early to rule anything out. If the Mets continue to struggle, every option—including trading a fan-favorite acquisition—could be on the table. For now, the baseball world is watching closely, waiting to see if this disappointing prediction becomes a reality.