When the Milwaukee Brewers dealt Corbin Burnes to the Orioles in early 2024-just months after Brandon Woodruff was shelved with a shoulder injury that would cost him the season-it was clear someone had to step up. Enter Freddy Peralta.
The moment the rotation needed a new anchor, Peralta didn’t just rise to the occasion-he took the reins and ran with them. Over the last two seasons, he’s made 65 starts and posted a 3.19 ERA.
That’s not just filling a void; that’s thriving in it.
But make no mistake-Peralta didn’t become a frontline starter overnight. He was already an All-Star before Burnes left town.
His 2.81 ERA in 2021 remains one of his best single-season marks, second only to his dominant 2025 campaign. That 2021 season was part of a golden era for Milwaukee’s rotation, and Peralta was a key piece of it.
Since then, he’s been remarkably consistent. From 2021 through 2025, he averaged nearly 28 starts per year, compiled a 3.30 ERA, and punched out 895 batters across 738.1 innings.
That’s high-level production stretched over half a decade.
What’s made Peralta so effective is more than just raw stuff-it’s evolution. Early in his career, he was known as "Fastball Freddy" for a reason.
That four-seamer had life, deception, and plenty of swing-and-miss. But he’s become more than a one-pitch wonder.
The addition of a sharp, biting slider in 2021 gave him a legitimate out pitch. Since then, he’s worked in a changeup that’s made him more effective against lefties, rounding out a repertoire that keeps hitters guessing and off balance.
He’s not just throwing-he’s pitching, and doing it at a high level.
Now, as we head deeper into the 2026 offseason, Peralta’s name is swirling in trade rumors-and for good reason. He’s a two-time All-Star with a team-friendly $8 million salary this season.
That’s a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber, and teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets have all been linked to him. The Brewers, meanwhile, hold all the leverage.
They don’t have to move him, and that gives them the luxury of waiting for the right deal.
That brings us to MLB Network’s latest hypothetical: a blockbuster proposal that would send Peralta to the Mets in exchange for Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Jonah Tong. On paper, it’s a tantalizing return. But is it realistic?
Let’s break it down.
The Case for the Mets’ Side:
Freddy Peralta would instantly elevate the Mets’ rotation. He’s the kind of arm that can start Game 1 of a playoff series, and he’s proven he can handle the pressure of being a staff leader.
He’s also young enough (29) and talented enough that a long-term extension could be in play. For a team looking to contend in 2026, he’s a difference-maker.
The Cost:
It’s steep. Jonah Tong is MLB Pipeline’s No. 46 overall prospect and already debuted in the big leagues. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping, his fastball-changeup combo is legit, and many evaluators believe it’s only a matter of time before he finds his footing.
Then there’s Brett Baty. Once a top-25 prospect, Baty took some time to adjust to the majors, but he broke out in 2025 with 18 home runs, a 3.1 bWAR season, and an OPS+ of 111. He’s under team control for four more years and plays a premium position.
And Ronny Mauricio? He’s the wild card.
A torn ACL in early 2024 derailed his trajectory, but the tools are still there-raw power, positional versatility, and four years of control. If he bounces back, he could be a valuable piece.
That’s three young, controllable players for one year of Peralta. Even with the potential for a qualifying offer and draft compensation if Peralta walks next winter, it’s a high price. David Stearns, now running the Mets’ front office and very familiar with Peralta from his time in Milwaukee, would likely balk at giving up all three.
What Could Make It Work:
The Mets do have the depth to entertain this kind of deal. They just signed Bo Bichette, which crowds their infield picture.
Baty might be the odd man out. And in the rotation, young arms like Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat give them some flexibility.
Losing Tong would sting, but it wouldn’t leave them empty.
Still, if you take Mauricio out of the package, the trade starts to look more balanced. Two high-upside, MLB-ready players for one year of an All-Star arm? That’s the kind of deal that could make sense for both sides.
From the Brewers’ Perspective:
They know what they have in Peralta. He’s not just a top-tier starter-he’s a clubhouse presence, a leader, and someone who’s been through the highs and lows with this team. Trading him isn’t just a baseball move; it’s an emotional one, especially after already parting ways with Burnes and Devin Williams in back-to-back offseasons.
But Milwaukee also understands the value of getting ahead of the curve. If they don’t think they can extend Peralta, now is the time to maximize his value. And with multiple teams interested, they’re in a strong position to negotiate.
Bottom Line:
Freddy Peralta is a hot commodity-and deservedly so. He’s a proven ace on a team-friendly deal, and the market is responding. Whether the Brewers choose to cash in or hold firm depends on the offers they receive, but one thing’s for sure: they’re not going to settle.
As for the Mets, if they want to add a frontline starter without dipping into the top tier of free agency, this might be their best shot. But it’ll cost them. Because in today’s game, arms like Peralta don’t come cheap.