The MLB trade winds are starting to blow, and the New York Mets might be the first team to raise a white flag in 2026. If they do, the Chicago Cubs are already circling like a hungry contender.

At the center of the buzz is two-time All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta. The 29-year-old right-hander is in the final year of his contract extension, originally signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, making him a prime rental candidate for teams looking to bolster their rotation. And the Cubs, suddenly short on starting pitching, are reportedly interested.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago, citing industry sources, the Cubs and Mets have already held discussions about Peralta. The report suggests that June 1 is a key date for the Mets to decide whether to compete or sell—and Peralta could be the first domino to fall.

Peralta has a strong connection to Chicago: he played under Cubs manager Craig Counsell in Milwaukee, giving the team an inside track on his fit in the clubhouse. And with the Cubs tied for the best record in baseball at 26-12, adding an arm like Peralta could be the move that solidifies their championship push.

Chicago's rotation took a hit when left-hander Matthew Boyd—an All-Star in 2025—went down with a freak knee injury that required surgery on his left meniscus. Boyd, who owns a 4.61 ERA over 12 seasons, is now sidelined, leaving a gap the Cubs are eager to fill.

So far in 2026, Peralta is 2-3 with a sharp 3.12 ERA for the Mets, though he's been let down by poor run support in his eight starts. For a team like the Cubs looking to deepen their staff, that kind of production could be exactly what they need to stay atop the standings.