Increasingly obvious NY Mets contract extension candidate is impossible to ignore

Patience is important when it comes to benefiting from a draft pick at any level. First-round selections, especially, require a certain level of letting things marinate before coming to conclusions. No better recent example is occurring with the New York Mets than what we’re witnessing with David Peterson.

Worth 4.9 of his career 7.4 WAR in the last two seasons, his 34 starts spanning 200.2 innings post-hip surgery has been menacing. He’s 15-5 with a 2.74 ERA. Peterson doesn’t have huge strikeout numbers. Defining him as a “system pitcher” might be most appropriate.

Peterson isn’t the same frustrating pitcher who walked a few too many in the first four seasons of his career. He attacks hitters, relies on a massive 56.8% groundball rate, and keeps the ball flat and in the yard. His 1.2% home run rate in 2025 is half of what he has done in his six MLB seasons and a huge marker as to one of the reasons why the Mets need to show him a little faith with some serious contract extension discussions.

On the heels of his best start this season, the Mets need to talk to David Peterson about keeping him around longer

A 29-year-old set to turn 30 this September, Peterson has another year of team control beyond 2025. Earning $4.625 million this year, he has been an absolute bargain for them. Tossing a complete game shutout versus the Washington Nationals where he faced 4 over the minimum while allowing 6 hits and striking out just as many, Peterson was delightfully efficient. The 27 outs were recorded via 106 pitches.

Peterson has been a master of consistency for the Mets all year. An innings eater on a regular basis for them as well, Peterson has gone 7+ innings in three of his last four outings. When they’ve needed him to give length due to the bullpen’s lack of available arms, Peterson has stepped up.

It’s definitely reactionary to start thinking about an extension following his latest performance. But it should have been a thought for quite some time already. The Mets have been careful about any commitments with pitchers beyond a year or two. At his age, Peterson would probably be prone to seek a deal with some legitimate length to it. He’d be 31 when he reaches free agency which can be a risky age to take on long-term.

Spotrac has his market value listed as 4-years and $54,339,420 with an AAV of just under $13.6 million. That seems incredibly good for a pitcher delivering what he has for the Mets for the last two seasons. Throw in a player option after year two (and maybe three) and we have ourselves a deal.

The longer the Mets wait, the more Peterson is going to cost. They know him better than anyone else and we should trust their intuition. Is he a player in his peak years ready to steadily decline before becoming free agent eligible? Or is Peterson a guy who had a couple of bumps along the road before getting to where he’s at.

The 2020 season was whacky, he got hurt in 2021, and then in 2022 he worked as a depth piece in the rotation, minors, and bullpen. By 2023, the Mets changed direction and were relying on veterans in an all-in campaign. It’s not an excuse for Peterson, but a reasonable explanation.