The Milwaukee Brewers got an up-close look at what elite starting pitching can do in October. After reaching the NLCS in 2025, they ran into a Los Angeles Dodgers team that reminded everyone that, even in an era dominated by home runs and high-powered lineups, a dominant rotation can still carry you deep into the postseason.
And now, Milwaukee has a decision to make.
The Brewers have a rare opportunity heading into 2026. With the right moves, they could piece together one of the most formidable starting rotations in franchise history.
But that depends on whether they’re willing to break from their usual playbook and go all-in-at least by their standards. The rumors swirling around ace Freddy Peralta have sparked plenty of offseason conversation, but what if the Brewers flipped the narrative?
What if they kept Peralta, added another top-tier starter, and built a rotation built to win now?
The Case for Building a Super Rotation in 2026
Milwaukee isn’t known for splashy moves, but this winter might be the perfect time to make one. The trade market is rich with cost-controlled starters-arms that wouldn’t just fit in Milwaukee’s rotation, but also in their budget.
Two names stand out: Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins and MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals. Both were 2025 All-Stars, both are projected to make under $6 million in 2026, and both would give the Brewers a legitimate No. 2 behind Peralta.
And the upside? It’s massive.
Ryan brings a polished fastball-heavy arsenal and elite command, while Gore flashes ace-level stuff when healthy and locked in.
Other intriguing names like Kris Bubic, Edward Cabrera, and even Shane McClanahan-because you can never count the Rays out of a surprise trade-are also potentially available. But Ryan and Gore offer the kind of ceiling that could transform Milwaukee’s rotation into one of the league’s best.
Picture this starting five:
- Freddy Peralta
- Joe Ryan or MacKenzie Gore
- Brandon Woodruff
- Quinn Priester
- Jacob Misiorowski
That’s not just a rotation that could win the NL Central-it’s one that could go toe-to-toe with the best in baseball. And for a franchise still chasing its first World Series appearance since 1982, that kind of firepower on the mound might be the missing piece.
The Cost of Contending
Of course, arms like Ryan and Gore won’t come cheap. These aren’t rentals-they come with at least two more years of team control, which means the price tag in prospects will be steep.
Just look at what the Rays got for Shane Baz: four legitimate prospects and a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick. Baz might have more years of control, but Ryan and Gore are more established.
The cost to land one of them could be even higher.
But here’s the good news: Milwaukee can afford it.
The Brewers’ farm system is as deep and talented as it’s ever been. Top prospects like Jesús Made, Cooper Pratt, and Luis Peña headline a group that offers both star potential and organizational depth. They’ve also seen a wave of young pitching talent break through to the majors in the past two seasons, giving them even more flexibility.
In other words, Milwaukee has the pieces to make a big trade without gutting the future. The question is whether they’re willing to pull the trigger.
Will the Brewers Take the Leap?
Historically, Milwaukee has played things conservatively. They’ve built sustainably, developed from within, and avoided the kind of win-now deals that mortgage the future. But this offseason presents a rare alignment: a roster that just reached the NLCS, a farm system stacked with talent, and a trade market offering legitimate difference-makers who won’t break the bank.
It’s not about abandoning their philosophy-it’s about recognizing the moment.
The Brewers don’t need to make a move just to make one. But if they believe in this core, if they believe they’re close, then adding a frontline starter while holding on to Freddy Peralta could be the kind of bold-but-calculated move that pushes them over the top.
Brewers fans know better than to expect fireworks every winter. But the pieces are there.
The opportunity is real. And if Milwaukee wants to go from contender to serious World Series threat, this might be the offseason to make it happen.