Mets trade struggling David Peterson to Chicago Cubs
Mets' David Peterson reacts after surrendering a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on June 10, 2026. Credit: Jim McIsaac
In the first trade of what could eventually become a fire sale, the stumbling Mets sent David Peterson to the Cubs late Wednesday night, a source confirmed, for minor-league infielder Cole Mathis.
The fallout from the Mets’ humiliating doubleheader sweep, by those same Cubs, didn’t take very long to materialize. Peterson, an All-Star last year, is 3-6 with a 6.09 ERA in 16 appearances, eight of them starts. He already had lost his rotation spot, but with the Mets desperate for capable starters, Peterson was abruptly reinserted for a turn Sunday, when the Phillies raked him for six hits and five runs in a 6-2 loss at Citizens Bank Park. Peterson, who will be a free agent this winter, is due roughly $4 million for the remainder of this season.
The Mets tentatively had penciled in Peterson to start Friday — again facing the Phillies — but evidently thought it better to ship him to the Cubs, who also are badly in need of rotation help. The difference between the two clubs?
The Cubs are a contending team, currently holding the third wild card spot, while the Mets are 12 games under .500 (34-46) and trail Chicago by nine games.
Mathis, who turns 23 next month, is a former second-round pick from the 2024 draft. He’s hitting .260 (25-for-96) with nine doubles, three homers, 22 RBIs and an .860 OPS in 25 games at high-A South Bend.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
