Now that Cody Bellinger is officially back in pinstripes, the New York Yankees can finally shift their offseason into high gear. The five-year, $162.5 million deal - complete with a $20 million signing bonus, full no-trade clause, and opt-outs after Years 2 and 3 - gives the Yankees a major bat in the middle of the lineup and some clarity on how to shape the rest of their roster. And with that clarity comes opportunity.
The next logical step? Reinforce the rotation - and Freddy Peralta should be at the top of the Yankees’ wish list.
New York has been keeping tabs on Peralta, and there’s good reason. He checks a lot of boxes: strikeout stuff, postseason experience, and a team-friendly contract that makes him appealing even as a short-term rental.
The Brewers, meanwhile, are always looking to add controllable talent, especially young pitching. That’s an area where the Yankees can deal from strength.
Now that Bellinger is locked in as the everyday center fielder, the Yankees have some flexibility in the outfield picture. Jasson Domínguez, once seen as a future cornerstone, suddenly finds himself without a clear path to everyday playing time. The organization doesn’t view him as a long-term center fielder, and with Trent Grisham on a one-year deal, the only potential vacancy in the outfield may not even be open by the time Domínguez is fully back from injury and ready to contribute.
Then there’s Giancarlo Stanton, who’s still under contract for two more seasons as the designated hitter - though his durability remains a question mark. That opens the door for Domínguez to get at-bats in a hybrid DH/outfield role, but it’s no longer a given. Bottom line: Domínguez may not be untouchable anymore, especially if he helps bring back a difference-maker like Peralta.
The Brewers don’t necessarily need a corner outfielder right now, but Jake Bauers - their current left fielder - is set to hit free agency after this season. Milwaukee’s front office has long prioritized acquiring cost-controlled players, and Domínguez won’t even sniff arbitration until 2028.
That fits their model. He may not be the centerpiece in a Peralta deal, but he’s the type of high-upside, controllable asset that could make a package more enticing.
Spencer Jones is another name to watch. Like Domínguez, he’s a talented outfield prospect who now faces a more crowded path to the Bronx. It’s hard to envision both being part of the Yankees’ long-term outfield, especially with Bellinger now entrenched.
Some fans might raise eyebrows at the idea of “running it back” with largely the same offensive group. But let’s not forget: the Yankees led all of baseball in wRC+ last season at 119 - six points higher than the Dodgers and Mariners.
This offense wasn’t the problem. Pitching was.
That’s why a move for Peralta would be more than just a luxury - it’d be a strategic necessity.
It also buys time for someone like Cam Schlittler to develop without being thrust into a high-pressure role. Schlittler turned heads with a brilliant performance in the Wild Card Series against Boston, but one playoff gem doesn’t mean he’s ready to be a frontline starter.
His 2025 metrics suggest he’s more suited for the back end of the rotation - at least for now. Peralta would give the Yankees breathing room, allowing Schlittler to grow without the weight of being the No. 2 behind Gerrit Cole.
And make no mistake: Peralta brings swing-and-miss stuff that the Yankees rotation could use. Last season, New York’s starters ranked ninth in strikeout rate - solid, but not elite.
Peralta, on the other hand, was among the top strikeout arms in the game. His slider, curveball, and changeup each generated whiff rates north of 34 percent.
The fastball is his most-used pitch, but there’s an argument to be made that dialing it back could make his off-speed and breaking stuff even more devastating.
Of course, the biggest drawback is that Peralta will be a free agent after the 2026 season. But that hasn’t stopped the Yankees before.
Over the past two offseasons, they’ve shown a willingness to trade for rentals if it means making a serious run at a title. General manager Brian Cashman made it clear at the Winter Meetings: the Yankees are operating in “short-term mode.”
If Peralta gives them a better shot at a World Series, expect Cashman to pick up the phone.
New York has the arms to get a deal done. Luis Gil, Will Warren, Elmer Rodriguez, and Carlos Lagrange are all intriguing names the Brewers could target. Pitching depth is one of the Yankees’ organizational strengths - and this is the kind of moment where you leverage it.
Just look at what the Dodgers did last year. Their deep rotation gave them a real shot at October glory. The Yankees should be taking notes - and it’s no coincidence that L.A. is also reportedly in on Peralta.
If the Yankees can pull off a trade, a rotation of Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Freddy Peralta, Carlos Rodón, and Schlittler - assuming health - would stack up with any staff in the league. It’s the kind of group that can carry a team deep into October.
With Bellinger back in the mix, the Yankees have already sent a message. But if they want to make a louder statement - one that echoes into October - landing Peralta might be the move that does it.