Unconfirmed report: Cubs in talks to acquire left-hander David Peterson from Mets

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly discussed acquiring left-handed pitcher David Peterson from the New York Mets, according to a Wednesday night report by ’s Jordan Bastian. The clubs were not listed as having confirmed the move at the time of the report, making it a deal to watch rather than a finalized transaction.

Bastian reported that the Mets would receive first baseman and designated hitter Cole Mathis, described as the Cubs’ No. 13 prospect. Mathis’s inclusion underscores that the swap is framed as more than a simple roster filler, with Chicago putting a player development asset into the exchange while New York looks to reshape its internal pitching depth and evaluate a ready-to-grow lefty.

Peterson, 30, would be the centerpiece for Chicago if the trade holds. The report described his current stretch as 3-6 with a 6.09 ERA, a line that suggests a pitcher searching for steadier results. For the Cubs, the fit is the kind of midseason gamble teams often weigh when they want a left-handed option for bullpen leverage or spot starts, depending on how they plan to use him.

The Mets’ side of the calculus is likely tied to their own balancing act between present performance and prospect evaluation. A prospect like Mathis, even when ranked behind the organization’s top tier, can represent an accessible path to future lineups if his offensive profile translates and his defensive or positional fit stabilizes. For New York, converting pitching value into a controllable position player is a common approach when the major league staff needs a longer runway for improvement.

It also matters that this report was framed as coming from a source rather than a formal transaction announcement. In trades at or near the deadline window, last-minute hurdles can slow confirmation, including medical review timing, paperwork, or routine contract-processing steps. Until either organization posts an official release, neither team’s roster construction should be treated as definitive.

If the Cubs do add Peterson, the immediate watch item will be how Chicago deploys a left-handed starter with a recent ERA that has not met typical expectations. Managerial use can quickly change the impact of a trade like this, whether the goal is to stabilize a rotation spot temporarily, create a longer look for the pitching staff through a bullpen day-by-day plan, or provide a lefty with a specific matchup advantage. For the Mets, the key follow-through will be whether Mathis can progress in the role envisioned by their player development staff.