Mets trade pitcher Freddy Peralta to Rays for 3 minor leaguers

NEW YORK (AP) — The first-place Tampa Bay Rays gave their starting rotation a boost Sunday, acquiring pitcher Freddy Peralta from the struggling New York Mets for three minor leaguers.Peralta, a two-time All-Star who can become a free agent this fall, has been a disappointment for the Mets after they acquired him from Milwaukee in a January trade. But he could help a strong pitching staff with the Rays, who began the day with the best record in the American League at 65-45 and a 3 1/2-game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees.“Freddy is a proven major league starter with high-stakes experience and a strong track record," Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said in a statement. "Adding a pitcher and competitor of his caliber strengthens our team as we push forward.”The last-place Mets received outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Émilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill in exchange for Peralta.The move came a day before baseball's trade deadline at 6 p.m. EDT o