The NL West is heating up, and it’s not just because of offseason workouts in the California sun. Two division rivals - the Dodgers and Padres - are reportedly circling the same target: Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.
And make no mistake, Peralta isn’t just another name on the trade block. He’s a proven top-of-the-rotation arm who could shift the balance of power in the division, depending on where he lands.
According to reports, San Diego has joined the list of teams checking in with Milwaukee about a potential trade for Peralta, whose 2026 salary is set at $8 million. That’s tremendous value for a two-time All-Star coming off his best season yet - a 2.70 ERA over 33 starts.
Not only was that a career-best ERA, but it also marked the third straight year he’s made 30 or more starts. In an era where durability is gold, Peralta’s consistency stands out.
Why the Padres Are in the Mix
It’s no secret the Padres have some serious patchwork to do in their rotation. The 2025 offseason hit them hard: Yu Darvish is out with injury, and they lost both Nestor Cortes and Dylan Cease to free agency. They did manage to bring back Michael King on a three-year deal, and Nick Pivetta remains under contract, but beyond that, the depth chart gets thin - fast.
That’s where Peralta comes in. He’d instantly become the ace of this staff, giving San Diego a legitimate frontline starter to pair with King and Pivetta. The Padres are still trying to keep pace with the juggernaut up north in Los Angeles, and adding Peralta would be a major step toward staying competitive in a division that doesn’t hand out wins easily.
How Peralta Fits in L.A.
Now, the Dodgers don’t need Peralta in quite the same way the Padres do. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a valuable piece in L.A.
The Dodgers ran a six-man rotation down the stretch in 2025, featuring a who's who of elite arms: Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Emmet Sheehan. With Kershaw stepping away and Roki Sasaki set to join the starting group in 2026, there’s still plenty of depth - especially with Gavin Stone and River Ryan expected to return from injury.
But here’s the thing: depth doesn’t always mean durability. The Dodgers have had their fair share of injuries in recent years, and Peralta’s track record of staying healthy and delivering quality starts would be a welcome insurance policy - or even more than that. He could slot into any rotation spot and give L.A. another high-ceiling, low-risk arm as they chase yet another deep postseason run.
The Clock Is Ticking
With both the Padres and Dodgers in the mix, the Brewers hold a valuable trade chip - and they know it. For San Diego, it’s about filling a glaring need. For L.A., it’s about reinforcing a strength and keeping a potential difference-maker away from a division rival.
Either way, Freddy Peralta’s name is one to watch as the hot stove continues to simmer. If one of these NL West contenders pulls the trigger, it could be one of the defining moves of the offseason.