The Milwaukee Brewers have once again found themselves in the center of offseason chatter - not because they’ve inked a blockbuster free agent deal, but because they’re fielding calls on one of their most valuable arms. That arm belongs to Freddy Peralta, a two-time All-Star who’s entering the final year of his contract and drawing serious interest across the league.
Peralta is coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA - the kind of season that puts a pitcher at the top of every contender’s wishlist. And with just one year left on his deal, he’s become a prime trade target for teams looking to add a frontline starter without a long-term commitment.
But here’s the thing: the Brewers aren’t shopping him. They’re listening, sure - but they’re doing it on their terms.
And those terms? Let’s just say they’re not for the faint of heart.
According to sources, when the New York Mets reached out about Peralta, Milwaukee didn’t hesitate to set the bar high. The Brewers reportedly floated a deal involving two of the Mets’ top five prospects: right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat and versatile infielder/outfielder Jett Williams. That’s a steep price - and the Mets backed off quickly.
Let’s break that down.
Sproat, New York’s fifth-ranked prospect and the No. 81 overall in baseball, spent most of last season in the minors, where he went 8-6 with a 4.24 ERA. He also got a brief taste of the big leagues, making four starts for the Mets and posting a 4.79 ERA. He’s got a live arm and the kind of upside that makes scouts take notice.
Then there’s Williams, the Mets’ No. 3 prospect and ranked 71st overall. He split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, hitting .261 with a .363 on-base percentage and a .465 slugging mark.
He also showed off his wheels with 34 stolen bases and chipped in 17 home runs. That’s a profile that fits right into Milwaukee’s mold: speed, versatility, and some pop.
It’s clear why the Brewers would be interested in those names - but it’s equally clear why the Mets are hesitant. Giving up two top-tier prospects for one year of Peralta, even after the season he just had, is a tough sell for a team trying to build sustainably. Still, this negotiation gives us a glimpse into what Milwaukee is looking for: premium talent, no discounts.
And that’s the message to the rest of the league. If you want Freddy Peralta, be ready to pay up.
The Brewers aren’t in a bind here. They’re perfectly content to keep Peralta in the rotation for 2026 and make a run with him at the top of their staff. If he walks in free agency, they’ll get a compensation pick in the amateur draft - and if there’s one thing Milwaukee’s front office has shown, it’s that they know how to turn draft picks into prospects and prospects into big-league contributors.
So while the trade rumors will continue to swirl, the Brewers are holding the cards - and they’re not bluffing. Whether Peralta stays or goes, Milwaukee is making it clear: they’re not giving away their ace for anything less than a haul.