Freddy Peralta Trade Rumors Heat Up as Brewers Face Pivotal Offseason Decisions
The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their 2025 regular season with a strong 97-65 record and a third straight NL Central title, but the buzz surrounding the team right now isn’t about another playoff run-it’s about the future of their ace, Freddy Peralta. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Peralta could be on the move this offseason, and that’s a development that could reshape the Brewers’ rotation in a big way.
Let’s be clear: Peralta isn’t just another name on the trade block. He’s been one of the most consistent and dominant starters in the National League over the past few seasons.
In 2025 alone, he made 33 starts, posted a 2.70 ERA, and struck out 204 batters over 176 2/3 innings. That’s not just solid production-that’s front-line, Cy Young-caliber stuff.
And the Brewers have been able to count on him year in and year out. Since 2022, he hasn’t made fewer than 30 starts in a season.
In a league where durability is increasingly rare, that kind of reliability is gold.
But now, Milwaukee could be preparing to part ways with their ace.
Rosenthal didn’t just float the idea-he pointed to Peralta as a name to watch closely. “Once the free agents are off the board… once Freddy Peralta is perhaps traded,” he said, suggesting that Peralta could be the next domino to fall in what’s shaping up to be a wild winter for pitching-needy teams.
And let’s face it-teams are always looking for starting pitching, especially someone with Peralta’s mix of electric stuff, durability, and team-friendly contract. He’s under control through 2026 thanks to the extension he signed back in 2020, which makes him even more valuable in trade talks.
The trade chatter really picked up steam after the Brewers’ early playoff exit. Initially, it seemed unlikely Milwaukee would move on from Peralta, but things started shifting once Brandon Woodruff accepted the qualifying offer. With Woodruff back in the fold, and with other young arms waiting in the wings, the Brewers suddenly have the flexibility to consider a move.
Milwaukee’s pitching depth could cushion the blow if Peralta is dealt. Names like Quinn Priester, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Tobias Myers give the Brewers a mix of high-upside prospects and back-end options. Woodruff’s return also helps stabilize the rotation, and if the front office feels confident in that depth, they may be more willing to listen to offers for Peralta-especially if the return includes long-term assets or impact bats.
But make no mistake: trading Peralta would be a seismic move. He’s not just a numbers guy-he’s been a tone-setter in Milwaukee’s rotation, a pitcher who takes the ball every fifth day and gives his team a chance to win. Let’s take a quick look at what he’s built over his career.
Freddy Peralta: From Prospect to Ace
Peralta’s journey to the top of the Brewers’ rotation started when he was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2013. Two years later, he was sent to Milwaukee in the Adam Lind trade-a move that’s aged incredibly well for the Brewers.
He made his mark in the minors with a dominant 2017 season, striking out 169 batters in just 120 innings between High-A and Double-A. That performance set the stage for his MLB debut in May 2018, when he struck out 13 batters over 5⅔ shutout innings at Coors Field-a franchise record for a debut.
His rookie season showed flashes of his potential, but it was 2021 when Peralta truly broke out. He earned his first All-Star nod that year, going 10-5 with a 2.81 ERA and 195 strikeouts in just over 144 innings. That same year, he was already locked into a team-friendly five-year, $15.5 million extension that gave Milwaukee club options through 2026.
Fast forward to 2025, and Peralta put together his best season yet: a 17-6 record, 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts. He finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting and earned his second All-Star selection. That’s ace-level production, and it’s why his name being in trade talks is such a big deal.
What’s Next for Milwaukee?
If the Brewers do decide to move Peralta, it won’t be a decision made lightly. He’s been a cornerstone of their recent success, and losing him would create a sizable hole at the top of the rotation. But in a league where pitching is king and demand is sky-high, the Brewers may see this as the right time to capitalize on his value-especially if they can add controllable talent that helps them stay competitive in the long run.
One thing’s for sure: the Freddy Peralta watch is officially on. And if he does get moved, it’s going to send shockwaves through both Milwaukee and the rest of the league.