The MLB trade deadline is August 3, and things are getting weird in Chicago. Both the Cubs and the White Sox are reportedly eyeing the same pitcher: Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets.
This one comes from ESPN’s David Schoenfield, who floated the idea that Peralta could be a fit for both sides of town. And it makes some sense, honestly.
Why the Cubs Are Looking at Peralta
The Cubs have been a mess on the mound this year. Injuries and inconsistency have gutted their rotation. They’ve already made one move, grabbing lefty David Peterson from the Mets. But they clearly want more depth. Peralta, right now, is 5-7 with a 4.82 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Not ace numbers, but the Cubs aren’t shopping for an ace. They’re shopping for a guy who can eat innings and maybe find a groove with a change of scenery.
The White Sox Are a Dark Horse, But Schoenfield Says Go For It
The White Sox are in a weird spot. They’re 45-40, sitting in first place in the AL Central. That’s happening during what’s supposed to be a rebuild. Conventional wisdom says you don’t mess with that — don’t trade prospects for short-term help when you’re technically ahead of schedule. But Schoenfield argues the opposite. Why wait? The White Sox have the worst innings pitched total from their starters in the league. Peralta could immediately help there. He’s not a savior, but he’s a reliable arm.
“The safe thing would be for the White Sox to do nothing at the deadline under the justification that they are still early in the rebuilding process and don’t want to trade prospects for short-term help,” Schoenfield wrote. “But why not now?”
What the Deal Could Look Like
The Mets are in sell mode. Peralta is the kind of player a team like that moves for the right prospect package. The Cubs have a deep farm system. The White Sox have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft scheduled for July 10. That pick itself won’t be traded, but they have other pieces. Both teams have what the Mets would want. It’s just a matter of who pulls the trigger first.
One More Thing That Matters
Peralta’s strikeout numbers are solid. That’s something both Chicago teams could use. The Cubs need a spark. The White Sox need innings. Either way, one of these two teams is probably going to make a call before August 3. And the other will be left watching.
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