In recent discussions at the baseball winter meetings, the Milwaukee Brewers have opened the possibility of trading right-hander Freddy Peralta, generating significant interest from various teams. Among those reportedly in the mix are the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Houston Astros, as well as the New York Mets, although the latter’s willingness to meet the Brewers’ asking price remains uncertain.
A Brewers official highlighted the week as positive, noting that “lots of teams” are interested in Peralta. However, despite the buzz surrounding potential trade talks, no agreements appear imminent. Conversations are fluid, with the clubs pursuing Peralta also considering other trading options and free agents to bolster their rotations. For instance, the Orioles are actively looking into acquiring Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera as part of their offseason strategy.
Peralta, who will celebrate his 30th birthday in June, is set to earn $8 million in the upcoming season before hitting free agency. His manageable salary might enhance his appeal as a trade asset, especially as many teams seem reluctant to invest heavily in the leading free-agent pitchers available this offseason. This situation mirrors the Brewers’ decision two seasons ago when they traded righty Corbin Burnes to the Orioles for a substantial return, primarily motivated by Burnes’ higher salary of $15.6 million at the time.
While Peralta may not possess the same level of accomplishment as Burnes, his more affordable contract could make him an attractive option for teams looking for starting pitching depth. Despite this potential shake-up, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Matt Arnold expressed confidence in their rotation’s overall strength, especially after righty Brandon Woodruff accepted the team’s qualifying offer of $22.025 million.
Even with the possible departure of Peralta, the Brewers maintain that their robust rotation, led by Woodruff and bolstered by younger pitchers like Jacob Misiorowski and Quinn Priester, could still position them competitively within the NL Central. Last season, the Brewers secured 97 wins and advanced to the postseason, defeating the Chicago Cubs in the Division Series before being swept in the National League Championship Series by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the eventual World Series champions.
Should the Brewers proceed with trading Peralta, they would likely still rely on a mix of existing talent—including Robert Gasser, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Tobias Myers—as well as individuals like lefties DL Hall and Aaron Ashby, both of whom could transition to starter roles. Additionally, the package received in a potential Peralta trade could further strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
