As we inch closer to the Winter Meetings, the MLB offseason is starting to warm up. A few early moves have already shaken loose, and the rumor mill is spinning faster by the day.
With front offices gathering and trade talks intensifying, Wednesday’s buzz brought some intriguing storylines-especially around a few big-name pitchers and a front office shake-up in Colorado. Let’s break it all down.
Brewers Listening on Freddy Peralta?
Just a few days ago, it sounded like the Brewers were firmly in the “not trading Freddy Peralta” camp. Now? That door might be cracking open.
According to reports, the interest in Peralta has reached a level the Brewers can’t ignore. And it’s not hard to see why.
The 30-year-old right-hander is coming off the best season of his career-17 wins, a 2.70 ERA, 204 strikeouts over nearly 177 innings, and a 5.5 WAR campaign that firmly placed him among the league’s elite arms in 2025. He was efficient, dominant, and durable-three words every contender wants in a front-line starter.
Peralta is under contract for just $8 million in 2026, making him a cost-controlled asset with ace-level production. That’s a unicorn in today’s market. But with free agency looming after that and the Brewers already having traded Corbin Burnes a year ahead of his walk year, the logic tracks: If Milwaukee believes Peralta peaked in 2025 and won’t be back, now might be the time to maximize his value.
That said, the situation remains fluid. The Brewers aren’t actively shopping him, but they’re listening. And if the right offer comes along-think top-tier prospects or controllable MLB-ready talent-they might just pull the trigger.
Astros Targeting Pitching Depth Amid Rotation Uncertainty
The Astros' rotation has been through the wringer the past two seasons. Injuries have taken a heavy toll, with Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco, and Spencer Arrighetti all missing significant time. And now, Framber Valdez-Houston’s workhorse and anchor-is a free agent.
That’s left the Astros hunting for arms at the Winter Meetings, though they’re reportedly not playing in the deep end of the free-agent pool. Instead, they’re eyeing pitchers still under team control-likely via trade. One name being floated as a potential trade chip is center fielder Jake Meyers, who could help net the kind of cost-controlled pitching depth Houston needs to stabilize its rotation.
It’s a practical approach for a team that still has playoff aspirations but needs to patch up its biggest weakness. With the bullpen and lineup largely intact, the Astros are clearly betting on volume and upside to rebuild their rotation depth.
Marlins Holding Steady on Alcantara, Cabrera
The Marlins have long been a go-to trade partner for teams looking to pry away young, controllable pitching. But this time around, Miami might be playing things a little differently.
According to reports, the Marlins are not actively shopping either Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera-two names that have floated in trade rumors since last season. Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner, and Cabrera, a high-upside arm with electric stuff, are both under team control and could fetch significant returns. But the Marlins are reportedly leaning toward holding onto their arms, and perhaps even looking at extensions rather than trades.
That doesn’t mean a deal is off the table entirely. If one of them were to be moved, Cabrera seems the more likely candidate given his inconsistency and the potential for another team to bet on his upside. Still, for now, Miami appears focused on building around its core rather than breaking it apart.
Rockies Hire Josh Byrnes as GM
The Rockies have made a notable front office addition, hiring Josh Byrnes as their new general manager. Byrnes, a veteran executive with previous GM stints in Arizona and San Diego, steps in as the No. 2 under new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta.
This is a significant move for a franchise that’s been searching for long-term direction. Byrnes brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for blending scouting and analytics-something the Rockies have struggled to balance in recent years. With DePodesta at the top and Byrnes now in the GM chair, Colorado’s front office is getting a full reset.
It’ll be interesting to see how this new leadership team approaches the roster. The Rockies have a mix of young talent and long-term contracts that haven’t quite clicked. Byrnes’ challenge will be to help chart a sustainable course forward, whether that means rebuilding, retooling, or something in between.
Final Thoughts
We’re still in the early stages of the offseason, but the groundwork is being laid for some potentially major moves. Whether it’s a Freddy Peralta blockbuster, a surprise Astros trade, or the Marlins flipping the script on their usual approach, the next few days at the Winter Meetings could get very interesting.
Stay tuned. The hot stove is just getting started.