New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was likely hoping that once-advertised ace Freddy Peralta would bolster his trade value by producing a solid performance at the Milwaukee Brewers, Peralta's former club, on Monday night. 

Peralta instead allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in his latest disappointing start for the Mets. After New York's 8-3 loss at Milwaukee's American Family Field, Peralta spoke like a pitcher who has no real chance of reclaiming his best form while with his current club.

Freddy Peralta has no answers for woes with Mets

"I don’t know," Peralta said about his ongoing struggles, per Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. "I don’t even know how to answer that question, and I don’t know how to define it, or if there’s only one thing. I just don’t understand sometimes, but I’ve got to keep fighting and trying to get through this." 

This past offseason, Stearns sent the Brewers two top-100 prospects in pitcher Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams to land Peralta. On Monday, Peralta fell to 5-9 on what almost certainly will be his only season with the Mets. According to John Flanigan of SNY, Peralta's 5.01 ERA is the third highest among qualified pitchers for the campaign. 

"I just want to get through this," Peralta acknowledged. "I still believe in myself. I know that I’m better than great." 

Freddy Peralta says plenty about struggles by what he couldn't say

While Peralta is set to reach free agency this coming fall, the 42-59 Mets are expected to sell players not locked down via multiyear deals before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline arrives. It was already unlikely that the Mets would get equivalent value back for Peralta compared to what they gave up to get him. At this point, it's fair to wonder if Peralta's worth as a tradable piece has decreased since the start of July.

"I don’t know," Peralta added about why he has routinely flopped with the Mets. "I just don’t know." 

History shows that one contending club will likely bank on a change of scenery fixing what has ailed Peralta in 2026. That change probably can't come quickly enough for the 30-year-old.