David Peterson has penned a heartfelt goodbye to the New York Mets organization after his trade to the Chicago Cubs. The left-handed pitcher took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the team, his fellow players and the fanbase following the conclusion of his tenure in Queens.
"From draft day to my last pitch as a Met, I am grateful to have worn the Mets uniform," Peterson wrote. He added that the organization provided him the opportunity to fulfill his "lifelong dream."
Peterson also extended his thanks to the front office, coaches, teammates, trainers, clubhouse staff and support personnel, stating that the connections he forged with the Mets "will last a lifetime."
"It was an honor and a privilege to be a New York Met!" he wrote.
The trade sent Peterson to the Cubs in exchange for minor-league infielder Cole Mathis, who was ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Mets' farm system. Peterson made his debut with Chicago on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He gave up a leadoff home run on his first pitch as a Cub to the Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio.
Following the trade, Peterson expressed his enthusiasm for the "new opportunity" in Chicago. "Some shock in the moment…I feel good, healthy. I went through some things early in the year I needed to clean up," Peterson said, per ESPN. "[Feel] better now. Feel like myself back in ’24 and ’25."
Peterson lost his spot in the Mets' starting rotation earlier this season after posting a 6.09 ERA through 68 innings pitched. He had been the longest-tenured player on the Mets before the trade, having spent his entire major league career with the franchise since his debut in 2020.
The Cubs were actively seeking starting pitching reinforcements due to recent injuries to Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown, who joined three other starters on the injured list.