The Yankees are staying aggressive this offseason, and their latest target signals just how serious they are about fortifying their rotation. According to ongoing reports, New York has its eyes on Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta-a pitcher who’s quietly been one of the more effective arms in the National League over the past few seasons.
There’s no question the Yankees need rotation help. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the staff in 2025, and with October expectations always looming in the Bronx, the front office is exploring every avenue to add stability and upside.
That’s where Peralta comes in. He’s not just a solid arm-he’s the kind of pitcher who can anchor the middle of a rotation and give you quality innings every fifth day, with the potential to flash ace-level stuff.
Since stepping into a full-time starting role in 2021, Peralta has posted a 3.30 ERA and averaged nearly 11 strikeouts per nine innings. Those are numbers that stack up with some of the league’s top starters, including Dylan Cease, who just landed a massive seven-year, $210 million deal with Toronto.
Peralta, by contrast, is set to earn just $8 million in 2026-a bargain in today’s pitching market. That kind of production at that price point is exactly why the Yankees are intrigued.
From a roster construction standpoint, Peralta makes a lot of sense. He brings swing-and-miss stuff, pairs it with solid command, and has proven he can handle a full season workload.
In 2025, he delivered like a frontline starter, giving Milwaukee both consistency and dominance. For the Yankees, he’d slot in perfectly behind Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, giving the rotation a reliable third arm with the upside to be even more.
And then there’s the financial angle. Peralta’s contract is team-friendly, which gives New York the flexibility to make additional moves-whether it’s reinforcing the bullpen, adding depth elsewhere, or keeping the door open for midseason acquisitions. That kind of flexibility matters for a team with championship aspirations.
But as with most trades involving high-end pitching, there’s a flip side.
Milwaukee isn’t just going to give Peralta away. With only one year of team control left, the Brewers are in a position where they could cash in now-but they’ll want a return that reflects Peralta’s value. That likely means premium prospects, and the Yankees will have to decide if they’re willing to part with young talent for a pitcher who could walk in free agency after 2026.
There’s also the matter of competition. Peralta’s salary and track record make him a hot commodity, and the Yankees won’t be the only team in the mix. That could drive up the asking price and force Brian Cashman and company to make a tough call: push chips in for a short-term boost, or hold onto their top prospects and look elsewhere.
The Yankees have reportedly checked in on other arms, including Washington’s MacKenzie Gore, but Peralta is viewed as the more dependable option-and potentially the more affordable one in terms of trade cost. Gore has two years of team control, which could make him more expensive to acquire. Peralta, with one year left, might come at a slightly lower price-though that’s far from guaranteed.
Ultimately, this is the kind of move that could define the Yankees’ offseason. Peralta offers real value now, fits the rotation like a glove, and doesn’t tie up the payroll. But the limited control and expected bidding war mean it won’t come cheap.
New York has made it clear they’re not content to run it back with the same rotation. If they believe Peralta is the missing piece, they’ll have to decide just how much future they’re willing to give up for the present.