PRESS RELEASE: METS ACQUIRE THREE PLAYERS FROM TAMPA BAY IN EXCHANGE FOR RHP FREDDY PERALTA

FLUSHING, NY, August 2, 2026 - The New York Mets have announced that they have acquired INF Émilien Pitre, OF Aidan Smith and RHP Gary Gill Hill from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Freddy Peralta.

Pitre, 23, has appeared in 88 games between Double-A Montgomery and High-A Bowling Green, hitting .308/.438/.447 with 28 extra-base hits and 46 RBI. The Canadian-born infielder has appeared in 227 career minor league games, primarily at second base, where he has hit .285/.392/.414 with 136 runs, 48 doubles, eight triples, 14 home runs, 123 RBI, 53 stolen bases and an .805 OPS. The 5-11, 185-pounder was originally selected by the Rays in the second round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Kentucky.

Smith, 22, has appeared in 59 games across three minor league affiliates in the Rays organization this season, hitting .209/.281/.391 with 20 extra-base hits and 40 RBI. In 280 career minor league games, the Tulsa, OK, native has slashed .246/.344/.416 with 56 doubles, nine triples, 36 home runs, 160 RBI and 104 stolen bases. He was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, TX. The 6-1, 190-pounder was part of the trade package that sent OF Randy Arozarena to the Rays.

Gill Hill, 21, was born in New Rochelle, NY, and was selected by the Rays in the sixth round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers, NY. He has made 20 starts between Double-A and High-A this season, going 7-3 with a 4.49 ERA (54 ER/108.1 IP), 23 walks and 87 strikeouts. In 81 career appearances (78 starts) over four minor league seasons, the 6-2, 160-pounder is 19-20 with a 3.99 ERA (175 ER/394.2 IP), 99 walks and 338 strikeouts. The right-hander was a member of Great Britain's team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Peralta, 30, made 22 starts for the Mets this season, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA (63 ER/113.2 IP), 48 walks and 113 strikeouts. He was originally acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers during the off-season in exchange for RHP Brandon Sproat and INF Jett Williams.