The Milwaukee Brewers were a regular-season powerhouse in 2025, finishing with a franchise-best 97 wins. That mark didn’t just lead the NL Central - it topped all of Major League Baseball.
And the driving force behind that success? Pitching, plain and simple.
Milwaukee’s rotation and bullpen were elite from start to finish, anchored by a trio of All-Stars: Freddy Peralta, Trevor Megill, and Jacob Misiorowski. Peralta, in particular, was the tone-setter - a strikeout machine with ace-level stuff who gave the Brewers a legitimate chance to win every fifth day. But as dominant as the arms were, the bats didn’t always hold up their end of the bargain.
The offense had its moments, but consistency was a season-long issue. And in the postseason, that inconsistency turned into a flat-out disappearance.
The Brewers were swept out of the NLCS by the Los Angeles Dodgers, with their lineup going cold at the worst possible time. That early exit - and the fact that Peralta is heading into the final year of his contract - has fueled speculation that Milwaukee could shake things up this offseason.
One trade proposal making the rounds suggests the Brewers could send Peralta to the New York Yankees in exchange for second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Proposed Deal:
*Milwaukee Brewers receive 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
New York Yankees receive RHP Freddy Peralta
It’s an intriguing idea on paper. Chisholm brings a rare blend of power and speed - he joined the 30-30 club last season, launching 31 home runs and swiping 31 bases.
That kind of offensive production would be a welcome jolt to a Milwaukee lineup that lacked punch in the playoffs. His slash line of .242/.332/.481 isn’t elite, but it’s certainly productive, especially for a middle infielder.
But there are complications. For one, Chisholm primarily played second base last season - and that’s the same position where Brice Turang just won a Platinum Glove.
Milwaukee did consider moving Turang to shortstop during Spring Training, but shoulder fatigue shelved that plan. So if Chisholm were to come in, the Brewers would either have to revisit that Turang position switch or consider sliding Chisholm over to third base, where rookie standout Caleb Durbin just finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Neither option is seamless. Turang’s defense at second has been elite, and disrupting that could create more problems than it solves. And while Chisholm has the athleticism to handle third, it’s not a position he’s played regularly.
There’s also the matter of control. Like Peralta, Chisholm is entering his final year of club control.
That means Milwaukee would be trading one year of their ace for one year of a bat - and given their small-market constraints, it’s unlikely they’d re-sign Chisholm in free agency. In essence, it would be a one-year rental for both sides.
That’s why some around the league believe a more realistic path, if the Brewers do move Peralta, would be a deal that brings back multiple players with several years of team control remaining - young, cost-controlled talent that aligns with their long-term vision.
Still, the Chisholm proposal highlights the kind of bold thinking Milwaukee may need to consider. The Brewers have the pitching to contend - that much is clear.
But if they want to take the next step in October, adding a dynamic, game-changing bat might be the missing piece. Whether that’s Chisholm or someone else, the Brewers’ front office has some big decisions ahead.