Will the New York Yankees pay the cost required to land this top pitcher?
The New York Yankees are trying to land a starting pitcher somewhere this offseason, especially with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon slated to miss the early stages of 2026.
The Yankees' payroll is a bit of an issue, though, as it appears that Hal Steinbrenner does not want to spend an exorbitant amount of money. That could rule out top Japanese arm Tatsuya Imai, who could be in line to bag a $200 million contract.
New York could turn to the trade market to find an answer, and it appears that is exactly what the Yanks are doing coming out of the Winter Meetings.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic have reported that the Yankees are in one of the teams attempting to trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, but Rosenthal and Sammon qualified by saying "it’s unclear how willing some of those teams would be to meet the Brewers’ asking price."
Peralta is slated to hit free agency after 2026, so New York will surely be cautious in its approach for the 29-year-old.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.The Yankees have a host of young pitchers in their farm system that they could move in exchange for Peralta, with Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, Bryce Cunningham and Ben Hess representing just a few of them.
You also have to figure Milwaukee would want one of Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones involved in the deal, but given Brian Cashman's well-known hesitancy when it comes to parting with prospects, you must wonder if New York will be fully on board with making this move.
Peralta would definitely fit into the payroll, as he is making just $8 million next season. He went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA while allowing 124 hits and racking up 204 strikeouts over 176.2 innings of work in 2025 and owns a lifetime 3.59 ERA since entering the big leagues in 2018.
The right-hander definitely took things up a notch this past season, but he has always been a good pitcher and would further solidify what is already a terrific rotation in the Bronx.
There is no doubt the Yankees need another hurler, though. Cole hasn't pitched since 2024 and hasn't tossed a full season since 2023. Cam Schlittler looked fantastic in 2025, but he made just 16 starts between regular season and playoffs. It's also hard to determine what New York will get from Will Warren and Luis Gil.
Peralta would provide the Yanks with a frontline option while Cole and Rodon mend and would then be their No. 3 or 4 starter once those two return, which is quite the luxury.
But are the Yankees willing to take the plunge with the impending free agent? We'll see.