As the MLB offseason nears its end and Spring Training grows closer, Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta remains on the roster despite being involved in a whirlwind of trade rumors since the organization picked up his $8 million club option in early November. 

Though none of the rumors surrounding Peralta have been realized, his status as a trade candidate is still as strong as it has ever been. Recently, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed Peralta in his “Breaking down the biggest non-Skubal trade candidates” piece. 

“Peralta has been a popular name on the trade circuit all offseason, and given his $8 million salary, it’s not hard to see why most teams would be interested,” Feinsand wrote. “The Brewers exercised his club option for 2026, but Brandon Woodruff’s decision to accept the qualifying offer has put Milwaukee into a bind in terms of payroll.  

“With only one year remaining until free agency, Peralta is the best 2026 rental available on the trade market, giving the Brewers an opportunity to acquire at least one controllable player in return. The Yankees are among the clubs that have spoken recently with the Brewers about a potential deal.” 

Beyond Feinsand’s report of the Yankees showing interest in Peralta, New York Post baseball columnist Jon Heyman also named the Yankees as well as other teams displaying an interest in the 29-year-old ace while also highlighting his friendly salary. 

“Brewers continue to field offers on ace pitcher Freddy Peralta, a free agent after 2026,” Heyman wrote on X. “Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Braves among many, many interested teams. Peralta $8M salary means anyone can afford, including Brewers, but extension tougher for small markets.” 

As Feinsand mentions, Woodruff’s acceptance of a $22.025 million qualifying offer put forth a financially precarious situation for Milwaukee. According to Spotrac, Woodruff’s salary makes him the second-highest paid player on the roster in 2026 behind Christian Yelich, who will earn $23,370,000. 

Woodruff is a very good pitcher in his own right, but he is older than Peralta, has a lengthy injury history and has never produced a season like Peralta did in 2025. His price tag is already punitive and will become harder to stomach if his availability is restricted.  

In 2025, Peralta put up a career-best win-loss record (17-6) and ERA (2.70) through 33 starts and 176.2 innings of work. Through eight MLB seasons, he carries a .625-win rate and a 3.59 ERA. 

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