One thing the Freddy Peralta trade doesn’t make any clearer for the NY Mets roster

The Freddy Peralta trade finally brought an ace to the New York Mets staff. The long wait is finally over. The ball club has a seasoned top-of-the-rotation arm they can use next season alongside Nolan McLean and maybe a healthy Kodai Senga? We have no idea.

The Peralta trade assured the Mets of nothing more than what he brings to the table. Because it also happened to include Tobias Myers, a perfect swingman who can start or give them length in the bullpen, the idea of going into the season with a six-man rotation is quite preposterous. Use Myers when you need that sixth starter instead, whether Senga is a part of the roster or not.

Senga’s name has been one of the most frequently mentioned in the offseason trade rumors. All have been speculatory and if you can recall a specific team targeting him, good for you. I can’t. It’s really only him or David Peterson the Mets should be expected to subtract. Could they do both and actually add a second new face to the rotation? That part of the Mets offseason is no clearer today than it was when Peralta was a member of the Brewers.

We’re no closer to knowing exactly what the Mets rotation will look like

Pencil in Peralta and McLean while assuming the Mets keep Clay Holmes and find no takers for Sean Manaea. Could they move Peterson to the bullpen? It’s not necessary with Myers around unless they plan to use him as minor league depth which would be a strange twist to this blockbuster trade. Myers has proven he belongs on a major league roster.

Peralta's salary at $8 million doesn't even help provide any guidance. A more expensive starting pitcher would further suggest trading Senga was the priority. Costing less than Peterson, it seems like less of a financial decisions.

One could make the argument the Mets should hold steady with their pitching for fear of suffering an injury. It kind of makes sense. If they have a six-man rotation plus Myers, losing one arm to injury would allow their new longman to remain in relief.

March trades aren’t completely unfathomable. As free agency feels like it drags on longer and longer each year, we could see more of those spring training trades that tend to be late shocks to the system. A blockbuster that immediately comes to mind is when the Atlanta Braves traded Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres a day before their Opening Day.

The Mets offseason can be viewed in phases. Phase one was changing the locker room. Phase two was being opportunistic and making up for some prior misses. Phase three will be the finishing touches.

Just bringing in Peralta and subtracting a single starting pitcher is the least the Mets could do for their rotation this coming year. What’s wild is the team doesn’t have any true need other than outfield depth, keyword depth, that could be added through such a trade. Peterson for San Diego Padres left fielder Ramon Laureano adds to their payroll. Framber Valdez seems destined to land with the Baltimore Orioles now. It’s going to be unexpected how the Mets finalize their rotation.