St. Louis Cardinals Eye Trade for Mets Star Freddy Peralta

The St. Louis Cardinals have been named a surprise fit for New York Mets star pitcher Freddy Peralta, who has a 90 percent chance of being traded, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel. The Cardinals have outperformed all expectations this season, with a 40-31 record and just 4 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central. With the Cardinals holding the No. 1 National League Wild Card spot, the buzz around the team has shifted from which veterans will be traded next to who the club should consider adding. Freddy Peralta, a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, has gotten off to a middling start with the Mets and is making $8 million this season, an attractive figure for low-payroll teams. The Cardinals' young pitching staff, including Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and Andre Pallante, has been impressive, with McGreevy boasting a 2.99 ERA in 14 starts, May with a 3.75 ERA in 14 starts, and Pallante with a 3.76 ERA in 14 starts. Adding Peralta to this group would be a significant boost, although it's considered a pipe dream due to the likelihood of Peralta being a free agent at the end of the season and landing a lucrative deal elsewhere. The Cardinals' surprising performance has put them in a position to consider adding talent, rather than subtracting it, as they look to make a push for the playoffs. With the trade deadline approaching, the Cardinals will likely be exploring all options to strengthen their roster and make a deep postseason run.