Mets Face Critical Decision on David Peterson's Future After Inconsistent 2025 Season

David Peterson's 2025 season was a tale of two halves for the New York Mets, earning an All-Star nod through August 1 with a 2.83 ERA before a dramatic regression. Post-August 1, he posted an alarming 8.42 ERA over his final nine starts, allowing 52 hits in 41.2 innings, including a 12.54 ERA in his last five outings. Despite these struggles, his 3.88 FIP suggests some bad luck or poor defense. Peterson, who threw a career-high 168.2 innings in 2025, is arbitration-eligible for the final time in 2026 with an expected $7.6 million salary, making him a low-risk, high-reward option. The Mets are weighing whether to keep the healthy left-hander, potentially in the rotation or relief, or explore a trade given his inconsistent career performance and the team's pitching depth considerations for 2026.