Starting pitching is the most valued asset
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 15: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks across the field before the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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among Major League Baseball front office executives.
Relief pitching is a close second.
A reliable, credible starting rotation can mask the shortcomings of an anemic offense.
The Cleveland Guardians are a case in point.
The Guardians were near the bottom in most offensive categories in 2025.
However, the Guardians climbed to the top of the American League Central Division on the arms of their efficient, effective and trustworthy starting rotation.
Because starting pitching is so hard to find and develop, it is surprising to this old scout that the Milwaukee Brewers are dangling right-handed starter Freddy Peralta as the potential centerpiece of a trade.
MLB.com has indicated the new year means that trade talks regarding Peralta are expected to “resume in earnest.”
Peralta has one more year remaining on a seven-year, $30M contract, which will pay him $8M in the coming season. He can become a free agent after the 2026 World Series.
His contract has been an absolute bargain for the Brewers.
Peralta won’t turn 30 until June 4, 2026.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reservedAbout Freddy Peralta:
Freddy Peralta is 6-0, 198 pounds.
Peralta was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic by the Seattle Mariners in 2013.
Because of a power fastball that hit 95 miles per hour, the Mariners gave Peralta a signing bonus of $137,000.
At the ages of 17 and 18, Peralta pitched in the Arizona League with the Mariners.
Peralta never pitched a major league game for Seattle.
In December 2015, the Mariners traded pitchers Carlos Herrera, Daniel Missaki, and Peralta to the Brewers for first baseman Adam Lind.
Peralta has been with the Brewers since the trade with Seattle.
Having pitched parts of eight seasons with the Brewers, Peralta has been the “ace” of the staff during several seasons.
Peralta has compiled a career major league record of 70-42, with a 3.59 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP in 211 career appearances. He started 162 games, covering 931 innings.
Peralta was an All Star with the Brewers in 2021, and last year.
Last season with the Brewers, Peralta went 17-6, with a 2.70 ERA, and 1.075 WHIP in 33 starts. He threw 176.2 innings, and struck out an average of 10.4 hitters per nine innings. He walked an average of 3.4 hitters per nine, which is right around his norm.
His 17 wins were the most of Peralta’s career.
Last season Peralta yielded 21 home runs, or five fewer than the previous two seasons.
brooksbaseball.net lists Peralta as having a repertoire which includes a four-seam fastball that sits at 94.12 miles per hour, a changeup at 87.98 miles per hour, a slider that hits 82.51 miles per hour, and a curve that sits at 77.17 miles per hour.
Peralta relies on his fastball 43.12% of the time. He uses the changeup 21.38% of the time, the slider on 22.83% of his pitches, and his curve ball 12.68% of the time.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 21: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers poses for a portrait during photo day at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 21, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Trade Market For Freddy Peralta:
Even though spring training is only a month away, there are still very consequential starting pitchers on the free agent market.
Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suarez are two quality starters still available. So is Zac Gallen.
Teams that have an interest in trading for Freddy Peralta may still be chasing one of the available free agent pitchers.
The Athletic has reported that the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and the Atlanta Braves have expressed interest in trading for Peralta.
Each of those clubs have the roster depth to make an intriguing trade offer to the Brewers.
Each of those four clubs have the financial wherewithal to make a long-term contract offer that could entice Peralta to forego free agency after the end of next season.
For now, however, the Brewers are said to be actively evaluating their trade options for Freddy Peralta, who remains one of the fine pitchers in Major League Baseball.