The San Diego Padres are making noise in the National League this season, sitting at 22-16 and just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division lead. But while the lineup is producing, the starting rotation is starting to show cracks—and that has the front office eyeing some big moves.

Injuries to Nick Pivetta, along with lingering uncertainty around Joe Musgrove and Germán Márquez, have left the Padres needing another reliable arm. Enter Freddy Peralta. The two-time Mets All-Star is posting a sharp 3.12 ERA this season and could be exactly what San Diego needs to solidify its playoff push.

According to Fansided.com’s Christopher Kline, the Padres are among several teams expected to pursue Peralta if the Mets decide to sell. “AJ Preller doesn’t have much left in the chamber as far as trade ammo,” Kline notes, “but the Padres are notoriously aggressive buyers at the deadline, and Preller is happy to bottom out the farm system if it means a real chance to compete in the NL postseason race.”

With the Mets seemingly headed toward a full rebuild, moving Peralta before he hits free agency after the 2026 season makes sense. Rather than lose him for nothing, New York could cash in now—and San Diego, with its win-now mentality, is a natural trade partner.

Adding an ace-level arm like Peralta would give the Padres the frontline starter they’ve been missing. Pair him with a healthy rotation, and San Diego could have the pitching depth to make a serious run at the Dodgers—and beyond.