Full Breakdown
Mets’ Season Unravels: Trade of David Peterson and Continued Decline
6/27/2026, 1:12:40 PM
The Trade That Signaled a Shift
On the night of June 24, 2026, the New York Mets dealt right-hander David Peterson to the Chicago Cubs for infield prospect Cole Mathis. The move came after a 9-6 loss to Chicago and a split doubleheader that featured six infield errors. General manager Carlos Mendoza framed the transaction as a roster-flexibility decision, noting the need to “continue to have starters in the bullpen” and the opportunity to “make a deal and we move forward.”
Background & Context
The Mets entered the 2026 season with an overhauled roster and high expectations, buoyed by early spring-training optimism. However, a 6.09 ERA for Peterson, the implosion of starter Kodai Senga, and a bullpen that frequently resorted to using starters eroded that confidence. By mid-June, the club’s playoff odds had slipped to 7.1 % (FanGraphs) and the team trailed the third wild-card spot by 9½ games.
Data & Statistics
- Record after the Peterson trade: 34-47, six straight losses.
- Playoff probability: 7.1 % (FanGraphs).
- Wild-card gap: 9½ games, seven teams ahead.
- Recent stretch: 13 games against wild-card rivals, 8 losses in 10.
- Cubs-Mets series (June 22-25): Cubs 7-0, outscoring Mets 51-24.
Official Statements & Responses
President of Baseball Operations David Stearns previously emphasized “to continue to give this team time to prove that we can get back in this in a very legitimate sense,” while also noting “the cutoff is the deadline.” Mendoza later explained that the trade was necessary because “we already had Kodai in the pen, and to continue to have starters in the bullpen, it’s not going to be sustainable.” Pitcher David Peterson, when asked about his future, said he “wouldn’t say there’s a concern because that’s not where our focus should be,” stressing effort and commitment.
Criticism & Opposition
Columnists and fans have described the trade as a possible “fire sale,” suggesting the Mets may become “the worst team money can buy” for a second consecutive year. The June 25 loss highlighted “routine plays” that cost the team, with fans chanting former star Pete Alonso in frustration.
On-the-Ground Reports
In the June 25 game, the Cubs won 4-3 in the 10th inning when Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered an RBI double off Brooks Raley. Errors by Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio and first-baseman Mark Vientos produced unearned runs, and the Mets failed to capitalize on loaded-bases opportunities in the third and sixth innings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the attribution of the loss: the New York Post emphasizes defensive errors, while ESPN’s recap notes the Cubs’ “unearned” runs but does not single out specific Mets miscues. No definitive data on the exact number of defensive lapses beyond the described errors is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The cutoff is the deadline,” — David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations, New York Mets
- “I’ve seen [Peterson] have success, make the All-Star [team], seen him struggle a lot, and how he handled it, but it got to a point where we needed the flexibility on the roster,” — Carlos Mendoza, General Manager
- “I wouldn’t say there’s a concern because that’s not where our focus should be,” — David Peterson, former Mets pitcher
- “It’s just routine plays that are just costing us,” — Carlos Mendoza, General Manager
- “Everybody in here’s frustrated,” — Eric Wagaman, Mets outfielder
- “Especially if we don’t start playing better. Obviously, we gotta be honest here. But we can’t be thinking about what-if. Our job is to do what we need to do now.” — Carlos Mendoza, General Manager
What’s Next
With the trade deadline approaching, the Mets are expected to evaluate additional moves, including potential deals involving relievers A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, or starter Luke Weaver. The club’s focus will shift to maximizing remaining roster flexibility while attempting to halt the losing streak before the season’s final stretch.
