The Yankees are back in the headlines, and this time it’s for a name that’s been circling their radar for a while: Freddy Peralta. According to recent reports, New York has “heavy interest” in the Brewers’ right-hander-a pitcher who’s long been rumored as a potential fit in the Bronx.
But they’re not alone in the chase. The Mets and Dodgers are also in the mix, and both clubs have the kind of farm systems that could make things very uncomfortable for the Yankees.
So the question becomes: Can the Yankees put together a package strong enough to bring Peralta to the Bronx? And if so, what might that deal look like?
Let’s start with the obvious-Peralta isn’t just being shopped around. The Brewers don’t have to move him.
That means the price is going to be steep. We’re not talking about a true No. 1 ace here, but Peralta still ranks among the top 20 arms in the game, and he’s a rental with Qualifying Offer rights attached.
That QO means if he walks in free agency, the acquiring team could recoup a fourth-round pick. That’s not nothing.
From a Yankees perspective, there’s a clear path to a competitive offer. Their Minor League pitching depth is real, and their Major League roster has enough flexibility to move pieces.
One name that’s already come up in connection with Milwaukee is Luis Gil. If the Brewers believe in his 2024 breakout more than his 2025 regression, he could be a key piece.
Pair him with a high-upside arm like Carlos Lagrange-who’s starting to generate top-50 prospect buzz-and now you’re talking about a serious offer.
Sure, it’s a hefty price for one year of control, but look at what the Yankees could be building. A rotation of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Freddy Peralta, and Cam Schlittler?
That’s a group with October written all over it. Depth, experience, high-end stuff-it checks every box.
But here’s the rub: the Yankees aren’t bidding against themselves. The Mets are lurking, and they’ve got the kind of prospect capital that can swing a deal fast.
Between Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat, the Mets have three top-100 arms who are either ready or nearly ready for the bigs. Add in veterans like David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and Sean Manaea, and it’s easy to see how one of those young pitchers could become expendable.
A package built around Sproat and another promising name like Will Watson could rival anything the Yankees put together. And with David Stearns pulling the strings, the Mets have the depth to add a third piece if needed. That’s the kind of offer that could tip the scales.
Ultimately, it may come down to how the Brewers evaluate the individual pieces. If they see Lagrange as a future frontline guy or believe Gil’s 2024 was more real than not, the Yankees have a legitimate shot. But if Milwaukee is higher on what the Mets can offer-or simply prefers the structure of their deal-then Peralta could be headed to Queens instead of the Bronx.
For Brian Cashman, this is one of those moments where the scrutiny will be intense. If Peralta ends up in another uniform-especially a Mets one-there will be plenty of second-guessing. But if the Yankees make a strong push and simply get outbid by a deeper system, it’s hard to fault the effort.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a mid-January rumor. It’s a high-stakes arms race between New York’s two baseball giants, and Freddy Peralta is the prize.