If the New York Yankees want to make as big of a splash as they’re looking to at the trade deadline, they’ll likely have to get creative.
One name that continues to pop up for the Yankees is Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, one of the top starters in baseball. With the Brewers always looking to save money and sitting in third place in the National League Central, 5.5 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them move the ace.
However, if the Brewers turn things around ahead of the deadline, sitting at 36-32 at the moment, it’s certainly possible that Peralta could be on the roster at the end of the year. He’s been in Milwaukee for quite some time now and is a fan favorite on and off the field.
Despite that, Zach Pressnell recently proposed a trade idea for the Yankees to land him, stating that he might be the best player moved in the entire NL Central.
“Potentially the best player who could land on the trade market out of the NL Central this season is Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The Brewers are no strangers to trading away their top talent before they lose them in free agency. We could see the exact same thing with Peralta this season.
“It would take a huge haul for the Yankees to land the righty, but that’s something they need to do if they are serious about winning while Judge is still in his prime. There are very few prospects who should be off limits in this kind of deal,” he wrote.
Would the Brewers Trade Their Best Pitcher?
If the New York Yankees want to land the Milwaukee Brewers’ star, it’ll take a massive package. Peralta currently owns a 2.69 ERA and has struck out 78 hitters in 77.0 innings. There’s a reason his price will be that high, however, as he owns a 3.69 career ERA and is on just a six-year, $22 million deal.
While he hits the free agency market at the end of the season, given the prices pitchers have commanded in recent years, that shouldn’t mean much for the Brewers. If the Yankees want him, they’ll still have to move a decent haul for him.
“Freddy Peralta isn’t going anywhere,” Tremayne Person wrote. “No matter how the Brewers approach the trade deadline — as buyers or sellers — Freddy Peralta isn’t going anywhere without a blockbuster offer. Milwaukee’s front office is expected to pick up Peralta’s affordable $8 million club option for the 2026 season, keeping their ace firmly in place.
What Would the Yankees Have to Give up for Peralta?
Regarding who the New York Yankees could trade in a potential deal for Peralta, it would likely have to be something that surpasses the Milwaukee Brewers’ expectations. According to Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports, teams have called about George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ top prospect. In this type of deal, it’s certainly possible that the Yankees would have to move on from him.
“The 2023 first-round pick just turned 20 and is already at Double-A Somerset. His glove and speed have held up, but the bat is catching up—he hit just .200 in his first 29 games at the level, though his .344 OBP suggests growth. Opposing teams keep asking about him in trade talks, but the Yankees see a long-term piece,” she wrote.
Yankees Trade Pitch Replaces Gerrit Cole With $22 Million Ace