Will the Brewers Trade Freddy Peralta? Latest MLB Rotation Shake-Up Rumors

By Oliver Wiener June 27, 2025 07:16

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, speculation swirls around Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta and whether the team will part ways with their top starter. Peralta, who has been a cornerstone of the Brewers’ rotation, finds himself at the center of trade rumors amid a tight playoff race and the franchise’s history of bold deadline moves.

Peralta’s 2025 campaign has been impressive. Through 13 starts and 71 innings pitched, the right-hander boasts a 2.92 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts, solidifying his status as an All-Star-caliber pitcher. At 29 years old, Peralta combines youth with experience and durability, having avoided the injured list since 2022. What makes him particularly valuable is his team-friendly contract: an $8 million salary for 2025 with a club option for the same amount in 2026. This affordability, coupled with his performance, makes him one of the most coveted pitchers on the market.

Despite the Brewers sitting at 43-35 and holding the third National League Wild Card spot, their position in the playoff race is precarious. They are just half a game out of the Wild Card, but projection systems generally peg them as a .500 team likely to fall out of contention as the season progresses. This uncertainty fuels debate on whether Milwaukee should trade Peralta now to maximize return or keep him to push for a postseason berth.

The Brewers have a recent track record of dealing star pitchers with team control remaining, having traded closer Josh Hader in 2022 and ace Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season. Both moves were made despite the team being competitive, signaling the front office’s willingness to act decisively if they believe it benefits the franchise long-term. Insider Jon Heyman noted that the Brewers are “a team willing to do stuff,” and Peralta’s contract situation makes him a prime candidate for a trade, even though the club can keep him through 2026 via the option.

Trade rumors have linked Peralta to several contenders, with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets among the most frequently mentioned suitors. The Red Sox, struggling with a shaky rotation and recent injuries, see Peralta as a potential game-changer. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel have identified Boston as a “best fit” for Peralta, estimating about a 20 percent chance of a trade. Meanwhile, the Mets, led by former Brewers executive David Stearns, have an urgent need for starting pitching due to injuries to key arms. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly called Peralta “the ideal solution” for the Mets’ rotation woes, though he questioned whether Milwaukee would trade their ace while still in playoff contention.

From a value standpoint, any team pursuing Peralta would have to offer a substantial package. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller compared the potential haul to the blockbuster return Cincinnati received for Luis Castillo in 2022, emphasizing Peralta’s top-25 pitcher status since 2021 and his rare, affordable contract. The Brewers’ pitching depth might give them confidence to trade Peralta if the offer is right, especially knowing he likely won’t be with the team past 2026.

Yet, insiders like The Athletic’s Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Eno Sarris rank Peralta as unlikely to be moved immediately, citing the Brewers’ current playoff position and the difficulty of replacing a frontline starter midseason.

In summary, the question of whether the Brewers will trade Freddy Peralta remains open but complex. His elite performance, affordable contract, and playoff race context make him a tantalizing trade chip. However, Milwaukee’s competitive standing and recent history suggest any move would be carefully weighed. As the July 31 deadline nears, all eyes will be on the Brewers’ front office to see if they shake up the MLB rotation market by dealing their ace or double down on a postseason push.