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Pirates Acquiring Late-Inning Reliever Luke Weaver From the Mets
The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets on Monday, a source told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Weaver was one of the few bright spots for the Mets in 2026, going 2-1 with a stingy 1.84 ERA (0.82 WHIP), one save, 45 strikeouts and 11 walks in 44 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Left-hander Gregory Soto has been Pittsburgh's primary source of saves so far in 2026, but he's been pretty volatile, so it seems likely that Weaver is going to get a huge fantasy boost and jump into save opportunities in his new digs. The 32-year-old Weaver will remain under contract with Pittsburgh through the 2027 season and will be paid $12.5 million. He's currently only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, but with the trade to the Pirates, Weaver's fantasy stock should improve drastically in the coming days. Weaver is in his 11th season in the majors, with all 13 of his career saves coming in the last three years.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Aidan Smith Headlines Prospect Haul for Mets in Trade With Rays
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Aidan Smith, along with two other prospects, is heading to the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Freddy Peralta. The Rays bulk up their starting rotation, but it costs them three prospects. Smith is the most notable, as he ranked as the Rays' 15th-best prospect in their system. The Mets also acquired right-hander Gary Gill Hill and second baseman Emilien Pitre in exchange for Peralta. According to MLB Pipeline, Hill and Pitre ranked as the 26th and 27th-best prospects in the Rays system. Between the three, Smith holds the most upside, but he still needs time in the minor leagues. None of these players is likely to contribute right away, but it's not a terrible return on Peralta, who is a free agent after the season.
Source: Mark Feinsand
Source: Mark Feinsand
Rays Acquiring Freddy Peralta From the Mets
The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets on Sunday, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. It's unclear who the Rays sent to the Mets in return. Peralta was basically a lock to be traded by Monday's Aug. 3 deadline from the last-place Mets after he was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in January of this year. The 30-year-old veteran Dominican hurler hasn't exactly had a great 2026 season in Queens, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA (4.45 FIP) and 1.48 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 48 walks in 113 2/3 innings across his 22 starts for the Mets. Since June 20, Peralta has gone off the rails, allowing 33 runs (27 earned) on 45 hits (seven home runs) while walking 15 and striking out 32 in 30 2/3 innings in seven starts (four losses). It all started when he allowed a season-high 10 earned runs to the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on June 20 on the road. The good news is that Peralta's expected ERA for 2026 sits more than a full run lower than his current ERA, and his xSLG of .363 (SLG of .448) shows that he was hit with some bad luck in his short time with the Mets. The Rays will be hoping to turn his season around down the stretch as they look to stay atop the American League East.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Zac Thornton Has Outgrown Streaming Status
New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton has made five MLB starts, and the rookie has already given fantasy managers more than a short-term streaming case. He is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 29 2/3 innings, completing at least six frames in four straight outings. Since returning from Triple-A on July 12, Thornton has allowed three earned runs over 19 1/3 innings. The strikeout ceiling is modest, with 22 punchouts on the season and a fastball that generally sits 89-92 mph. Thornton has compensated by limiting walks, keeping the ball in the park, and working deep enough to remain eligible for wins. RotoBaller ranks him 40th among its Week 18 waiver options and recommends him for 12-team leagues, while its rankings listed him at just 26% rostered. Thornton has earned a place on mixed-league rosters, even if managers remain selective against tougher lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Scott Has Become a Must-Roster Starter in 12-Team Leagues
New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott strengthened his case for a permanent 12-team roster spot Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings against the Atlanta Braves. It was his longest start of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.99. Scott now has 85 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings, giving fantasy managers plenty of value even when he does not work deep into games. The control and workload still deserve attention. Scott has issued 30 walks, and Wednesday was the first time he completed six innings in 15 starts. Still, his 1.24 WHIP is manageable, and the Mets continue to give him regular turns in the rotation. Only 29% of Yahoo leagues have Scott rostered, while RotoBaller ranks him 52nd among its Week 18 waiver options with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He has pitched his way beyond streamer status at that depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Freddy Peralta Scratched From Scheduled Start on Friday
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has been scratched from his start against the Miami Marlins on Friday due to "interest in him picking up from contenders," per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. With the Mets currently 16 games under .500 and Peralta set to hit free agency at the end of the season, the veteran right-hander appears to be a near-lock to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Peralta has had a down year so far in 2026, recording a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts). However, the 30-year-old posted three straight 200-plus strikeout seasons from 2023 through 2025. He's reportedly drawn interest from a wide range of contending teams and could be in line for a strong close to the season following a change in scenery.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Mets Setting High Asking Price for Freddy Peralta
The New York Mets are asking teams for a "top-100 prospect and more" in return for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, according to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. With the Mets currently 16 games under .500 and Peralta set to hit free agency at the end of the season, the veteran right-hander is one of the safer bets to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Peralta's value around the league may be at a relative low point, as he's recorded a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts) on the year. Still, the 30-year-old recorded a 2.70 ERA with a 28.2% strikeout rate across 176 2/3 innings in 2025. He may be one of the few available arms at the deadline who carries true high-end upside for contenders.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal
A.J. Ewing an Emerging Rookie Outfielder With Plenty to Offer
New York Mets rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing can contribute across all fantasy baseball formats and is getting enough playing time to make him relevant in mixed leagues to close out the 2026 campaign. In his first 69 major-league contests across 279 plate appearances in 2026, Ewing is hitting .268/.339/.411 with a .750 OPS, seven home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored for the last-place Mets. He is hitting a modest .258 (24-for-93) with a .713 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 23 games (102 plate appearances) in July, but he continues to contribute everywhere and has a high long-term ceiling, primarily for his speed and amazing contact skills at the plate. Ewing's work against lefties is also very encouraging, as he's gone 17-for-63 (.270) against them with two of his seven home runs on the year. Fantasy managers searching for outfield depth upgrades could do a lot worse than an emerging young player like Ewing off the waiver wire. Ewing is rostered in only 29% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Luke Weaver Remains a High-End Waiver-Wire Stash Option
New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has been one of the better relief pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 44 strikeouts, 15 holds, and one save across 43 innings (41 games). The Mets have deployed Weaver in a setup role in front of veteran closer Devin Williams for the majority of 2026. However, Williams has struggled to a 4.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings on the year. Additionally, with the Mets out of contention, both Weaver and Williams could be candidates to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Rival teams could view Weaver as a viable closer, as he logged 12 saves across two seasons with the New York Yankees in 2024 and 2025. Whether he stays with the Mets or gets traded, Weaver could have a path to saves in the final few months of the season and profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clay Holmes a Priority Waiver-Wire Stash Ahead of Impending Injury Return
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) has not pitched since mid-May due to a fractured fibula. However, the 33-year-old has now made two minor league rehab starts and appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Holmes got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, recording a 4-4 record with a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 52 2/3 innings (nine starts). The 33-year-old does not profile as a high-end source of strikeouts for fantasy managers, as he's posted just a 20.9% strikeout rate this year. Still, he's logged an elite 56% ground ball rate, which has helped him limit damage from the long ball (0.51 HR/9). Holmes could also get moved to a contender at the upcoming trade deadline, which may help him rack up wins. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Holmes should be viewed as a priority stash candidate off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Freddy Peralta a Logical Trade-Deadline Fit With the Cubs?
ESPN's Jeff Passan speculates that the Chicago Cubs "line up very nicely" as trade partners with the New York Mets, and that Chicago could target Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Peralta, who will be a free agent following 2026, has had a rough season in New York. Across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts), the 30-year-old has recorded a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts. Peralta's strikeout rate has dipped to a career-worst 22.1%, and he's allowed 1.35 HR/9 despite making his home starts in the spacious Citi Field. However, the veteran right-hander has a long track record of big-league success. Across 33 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025, Peralta recorded 17 wins, 204 strikeouts, and a 2.76 ERA. Peralta appears to be a near-lock to be moved at the deadline, which could be the fresh start he needs to finish the year strong.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Christian Scott's Strikeout Upside Makes Him a Priority Waiver Addition
New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott has turned his first season back from Tommy John surgery into a useful source of strikeouts. The 27-year-old owns a 3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts across 63 1/3 innings, while his 28.8% strikeout rate is up sharply from 19.8% as a rookie in 2024. Scott's four-seam fastball has climbed from 94.2 mph to 95.4 mph, and opponents are batting .211 with a 34.1% whiff rate against his sweeper. The workload and control still create some risk. Scott has not completed six innings in any of his 14 starts, carries a 10.7% walk rate, and owns a 4.01 expected ERA. He also lasted only 3 2/3 innings against Milwaukee on July 22, allowing three runs and three walks. Even so, he remains available in 72% of Yahoo leagues and ranks 52nd in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings. Scott is a priority strikeout addition in 12-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zach Neto, Freddy Peralta Drawing Trade Interest From Rays
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta are among the players drawing trade interest from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Angels are listening on Neto but have placed a high asking price on the 25-year-old, who is batting .235/.326/.440 with 19 home runs, 46 RBI, 71 runs, and 13 steals in 104 games. Peralta has struggled in New York, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings over 22 starts. He can become a free agent after the season, while Neto remains under club control through 2029. Tampa Bay is considering another starter to help manage its rotation workloads, but neither player appears close to being moved. Their fantasy outlooks remain unchanged for now.
Source: Fansided
Source: Fansided
Zac Thornton Emerging as a Must-Add Starting Pitcher
New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton put together another impressive outing on Monday night, throwing 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball with five strikeouts in his team's 14-3 win over the Atlanta Braves. Since being recalled from Triple-A in mid-July, Thornton has allowed just three earned runs while picking up two wins and 12 strikeouts across 19 1/3 innings (three starts). The 24-year-old is averaging just 92 miles per hour on his fastball and does not profile as a significant source of swing-and-miss, as he's logged just a 20% strikeout rate in the big leagues so far this season. However, the young left-hander has been hard to barrel up, as he's allowed just two home runs across 29 2/3 innings pitched for the Mets in 2026. Given his current hot streak, Thornton profiles as a priority waiver wire target ahead of his next scheduled start against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Francisco Lindor Heating Up, Hits Two Homers and Drives in Six on Monday
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor may finally be starting to heat up after an injury-plagued and disappointing first half of the 2026 season. In the Mets' 14-3 drubbing of the division-rival Atlanta Braves in Queens on Monday night, Lindor went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a triple, six RBI, and a walk to boost his season average to .233 and his OPS to .743. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner is still only batting .233/.318/.425 on the year with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 193 at-bats, but the Puerto Rican native could be a major asset down the stretch at a premium position. Since the All-Star break, Lindor has gone 12-for-40 (.300) with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, and four runs scored in 10 games and 46 plate appearances. Lindor isn't going to reach the 30-homer mark for a fourth straight season, but if he's healthy, he could be a difference-maker for fantasy managers to close out the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
