Mets fans are about to learn a harsh lesson Brewers already know about Freddy Peralta

Now that the dust has settled on the blockbuster trade between the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets that landed Freddy Peralta in Queens, it's easy to say both sides got exactly what they needed out of the deal.

The Brewers are getting controllable upside in the form of Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, two players who should develop into headliners of their rotation and lineup, respectively. Both top prospects are young and cheap, giving them ample opportunity and time to find their footing at the major-league level in Milwaukee.

The Mets, on the other hand, are getting their long-coveted ace in Peralta, as well as some extra pitching depth in Tobias Meyers. The 29-year-old Peralta only has one year remaining on his contract, but he should immediately slot in as the Opening Day starter on a team with championship aspirations.

And yet, the Mets may have to contend with a lingering issue in Peralta's profile if they hope to overcome the playoff hump.

Freddy Peralta rarely pitches deep into games, shining spotlight on Mets' weak pitching depth

As great as Peralta was with the Brewers — he recorded a 3.59 ERA, 29.9% strikeout rate, and two All-Star nods in eight years — he never exactly earned the label of a "workhorse."

It's true that he has proven durable. He's made at least 30 starts in three straight seasons, eclipsing 165.0 innings each time. That kind of dependability is valuable, especially when it comes attached to an arm as prolific as Peralta's.

That being said, the longtime Brewers ace isn't exactly known for pitching deep into games. Last season, he made it out of the seventh inning just once — during his second start of the campaign on April 2. In fact, he only made it through at least six innings just 13 times. It helps that he pitched at least five full frames 30 times in 33 starts (again, he's extremely dependable), but he isn't the bullpen-saving type.

This isn't a new phenomenon, either. In 2024, he pitched seven complete innings just twice. The year prior, he did it just once. Even during his peak, Peralta hasn't made a habit of facing a lineup more than two or three times per game.

Now, some of that comes down to the Brewers' pitching philosophy and their great bullpen, but this is a red flag the Mets will have to deal with, especially as Peralta crosses the dreaded threshold of 30 years old.

None of this is to dismiss just how important Peralta was for the Crew -- he was a dependable force at the top of Milwaukee's rotation for each of the last two seasons -- but if Mets fans are expecting seven strong from their new right-hander every time out, they are likely to be met with a rude awakening.