The New York Mets made a significant move late Wednesday night, trading left-handed pitcher David Peterson to the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs receive Southpaw pitcher Peterson, sending corner-infield prospect Cole Mathis to the Mets.
In a lost season for the Mets, trading away Peterson signals the start of a major deadline reset and a fire sale for the Mets. With the Mets in last place in the NL East, it’s looking like the Mets are waving the white flag and will be looking to trade away veteran players or impending free agents to replenish the farm system. Looking at the Cubs’ perspective, trading for Peterson gives them reinforcement in a rotation that’s been battling injuries all season. Â
David Peterson was drafted by the Mets with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Oregon. He first made his debut with the Mets in the 2020 pandemic-shortened season. Peterson was thrown into the rotation without ever throwing a pitch in Triple-A. In his first major league season, he went 6-2 with a 3.44 ERA across 49.2 innings and was looking like a reliable piece of a young core. Â
During the 2021 season, Peterson struggled, posting a 5.54 ERA and going 2-6 with 69 strikeouts in 15 starts. He also suffered injuries left and right as he suffered an oblique strain on June 30th, 2021. While rehabbing from the oblique injury in late July, he suffered a fractured right pinky toe in a walking boot accident, which required surgery, ending his season.
Peterson rebounded well in 2022, as he posted a 3.83 ERA in 19 starts and was a crucial depth piece for the Mets. But he came back crashing to earth in the 2023 season, as he struggled again, posting a 5.03 ERA across 27 appearances and bouncing between the starting rotation and the bullpen.
In the 2024 season, Peterson began to show his Southpaw potential as a key contributor to their playoff run. Peterson arguably had his best season as he posted a 2.90 ERA in 21 starts and provided the Mets with invaluable relief innings to help the Mets reach the NLCS. He made the crucial save for the Mets against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the 2024 NL Wild Card Series, sending them to the NLDS.
The first half of the 2025 season was dominant for Peterson, as he looked like a true Southpaw pitcher, was named to his first All-Star Game, and posted a 3.06 ERA. When he came back from the All-Star game, Peterson was a shell of himself as he struggled, posting a 6.34 ERA in 59.2 innings with a 1.609 WHIP and 57 strikeouts. This season has been disastrous for Peterson as he’s posted a 3-6 record with a 6.09 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP over 68 innings in 16 appearances (8 starts).
Trading away Peterson signals that more Mets trades will be on the way. It seems like both sides needed a fresh start, and the hope with Peterson is that he can revitalize his career in Chicago, while the Mets look to change up their rotation.
What David Peterson Brings to the Cubs
The Cubs trading for Peterson should come as no shock, as their rotation has been battling injuries left and right. Â
Their rotation suffered when both Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown went on the injured list on Wednesday. Luckily, Matthew Boyd was activated and made his start against the Mets in the fourth game. But they’ve still been struggling with injuries, as Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Cade Horton have all gone down. The Cubs traded for Peterson, believing that their season isn’t over yet, and bringing in an experienced veteran like Peterson for depth shows that.Â
Even though Peterson has struggled this season, he still has an opportunity to revive his season/career and help contribute to a Cubs team that’s trying to salvage their season. Peterson offers a reliable arm to soak up innings and eat starts. Being known as a ground-ball pitcher, Counsell plans to leverage the Cubs’ strong infield defense to let Peterson induce grounders to pitch out of contact.Â
Peterson is also in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent, so they won’t feel locked into a contract with him. Figured that Peterson will be a rental that only costs them infield Mathis, who was their No.13 prospect. Â
Cole Mathis Breakdown
The Chicago Cubs sent infielder Mathis to the Mets in the Peterson trade.
Mathis was selected 54th overall in the second round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs out of the College of Charleston. In college, he was originally a two-way player but transitioned to a corner-infield-and-hitting role in the minor leagues. Mathis brings versatility, as he can play either first or third base or serve as a designated hitter. He brings high-upside corner infield power and strong on-base skills.
Across Single-A and High-A, he’s made himself known for his hit-power combination as he’s posted a .981 OPS with 10 home runs, 12 doubles, and 39 RBI in just 39 games. He was ranked No. 9 in the Cubs system by Baseball America and No. 13 by MLB Pipeline. Joining the Mets, he slots in as the No. 14 prospect in the Mets’ system. He will be assigned to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones, though he is currently on the Minor League injured list.
In terms of injuries, he’s had recurring elbow problems. Shortly after being drafted, he underwent Tommy John surgery. In 2025, elbow issues flared up again, and he was sidelined with an elbow sprain. Though his defense needs work, his offensive potential is there. It all just depends on his health and whether he can stay on the field. Hopefully, he can get his elbow issues resolved so that they won’t be a problem going forward.
After the Mets traded away David Peterson, they lost in extras to the Cubs 4-3, getting swept by the Cubs in a four-game series. As the Mets keep losing, expect more players to be traded amid a fire sale. David Peterson gets a fresh start as he joins a Cubs team that needs all the help they can get.
