Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees (Image via Imagn Images) The New York Yankees may have no choice but to answer the Toronto Blue Jays’ aggressive offseason moves, especially after Toronto landed Dylan Cease on a massive deal. Following a frustrating exit in the 2025 ALDS at the hands of their division rivals, the Yankees are now predicted to counter with a major swing of their own: a blockbuster trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta.Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, as cited by writer TJ Morin, laid out why this move feels both urgent and realistic. According to Reuter, “swinging for the fences with a blockbuster deal to acquire Freddy Peralta would give them a rotation that stacks up to any in baseball once everyone is healthy.” (H/t: Sporting News)
Proposed Yankees-Brewers Trade Package
The hypothetical trade centers around Peralta, a two-time All-Star who carries a manageable $15.5 million salary. The Yankees would be buying elite value without the luxury-tax damage typically tied to acquiring top-end pitching.Here’s how the predicted trade looks:
Trade Framework
Yankees Receive Brewers Receive RHP Freddy Peralta RHP Carlos Lagrange RHP Bryce Cunningham RHP Cade Smith
Freddy Peralta of the Washington Brewers (Image via Getty)
This deal would send three pitching prospects to Milwaukee while delivering an immediate frontline starter to New York.
Why the New York Yankees Are Pushing for Rotation Help
New York Yankees’ rotation depth has taken several hits. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt are all expected to open the season on the injured list. That leaves the front office balancing competitiveness with cost control, especially after acquiring Max Fried earlier in the offseason.
Key factors motivating the Yankees:
• Multiple starters sidelined to start the year • Need to match Toronto’s Dylan Cease acquisition • Pressure to contend in a tightening AL East • Desire to add high-end talent without escalating payrollPeralta fits each of these needs.
Freddy Peralta’s Dominant 2024 Season
Freddy Peralta is coming off one of the strongest years of his career, putting together ace-level production across the board. His combination of strikeout power and durability makes him a perfect match for the Yankees’ long-term outlook.
Freddy Peralta 2024 Stats
CategoryValue Record 17-6 ERA 2.70 Strikeouts 204 WHIP 1.075 Innings Pitched 176These numbers place him among the most valuable starters in baseball and explain why his contract is viewed as a bargain.
What the Yankees Rotation Would Look Like With Peralta
If this predicted trade becomes reality, the Yankees could field a rotation that rivals the Dodgers for the best in baseball.Projected Yankees Rotation (Fully Healthy)Slot Pitcher1 Gerrit Cole2 Max Fried3 Carlos Rodón4 Freddy Peralta5 Cam SchlittlerThis group features power pitching, postseason experience, and a rare mix of frontline arms. Analysts already see it as potentially the strongest rotation in MLB outside of Los Angeles.
Why This Move Makes Financial Sense for New York
The Yankees want to contend without pushing their payroll deeper into luxury territory. Peralta’s contract – under $16 million per year – offers top-tier production at mid-tier cost. In today’s market, that kind of efficiency is rare.Key financial advantages: • Peralta is an All-Star-level starter at a midrange salary • No long-term mega-contract risk • Freedom to maintain flexibility for future acquisitions • Helps balance the roster until Cole, Rodón, and Schmidt returnThe value proposition is clear: elite pitching at an affordable number.The Yankees were already facing pressure to respond after being eliminated by the Blue Jays in the 2025 ALDS. Toronto signing Dylan Cease only widened the gap. A Freddy Peralta trade could close it.Also read: MLB trade rumors: Baltimore Orioles proposed to pursue $6.5 million Washington Nationals All-Star ace after missed Dylan Cease signingIf New York wants to stay in the championship conversation without ballooning its payroll, this predicted move checks every box. The ball is now in the Yankees’ court – and as TJ Morin notes through Joel Reuter’s analysis, the path forward looks obvious.