Copyright Heavy.
There could potentially be several well-respected pitchers changing teams this offseason. Either via trade or free agency, it is widely expected that a significant number of All-Star arms and Cy Young vote winners will be wearing different jerseys next season. Depending on which national outlet you follow, the biggest name available could be Joe Ryan, or Sandy Alcantara, or Dylan Cease, or Ranger Suarez. The New York Yankees would be wise to get in on the shopping spree. After advancing to the World Series a year ago, the Yankees were reminded this season that you can never have enough pitching, and with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both expected to not be ready at the start of 2026, there are definitely holes to be filled in the team’s starting rotation. Freddy Peralta Proposed as Ideal Trade Target for New York Yankees The Yankees already have several big contracts on the books for next season, including deals for Cole, Rodon and Max Fried, and they hope to bring back Cody Bellinger on what should be another pricey pact. Their ideal approach for improving the staff would be through the trade market, and Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media believes that Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers would be the ideal target. “Freddy Peralta has been one of the top starters in the National League since 2021, having five consecutive seasons as a starting pitcher while recording a K% above 27%,” he wrote. “Only six pitchers recorded a lower ERA than Peralta did this past season, while eight finished with more punchouts, as the right-hander would immediately complement Max Fried at the top of the rotation. “He doesn’t profile as a true ace, but he does profile as a capable number two starter who can provide ace-level upside in any given season due to his repertoire.” That repertoire includes highly effective secondary pitches, including a curveball and changeup, to go with Peralta’s powerful fastball. Using that mix, Peralta went 17-6 this season, with a 2.70 ERA, and he struck out 204 batters in 176.2 innings. Freddy Peralta Has Won 40 Games Over the Past Four Seasons If there’s a knock against Peralta, it’s his inability to consistently last deep into games. Over the past three seasons, the 29-year-old has averaged less than six innings per start, but he has won 40 games during that stretch, and his career ERA of 3.59 is indicative of a pitcher who knows how to compete. The Yankees could use some of that. Especially considering that Peralta’s contract includes a club option for 2026 at just $8 million. “They should build their rotation to have horses who can provide value throughout the season and in the postseason, and Peralta is someone who they could acquire without taking themselves out of big free agents,” Garcia stressed. But given Peralta’s value, the package would have to be an eye-opener, and Garcia proposes that the Yankees offer a trio of their top prospects: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (No. 3), Spencer Jones (No. 4) and Henry Lalane (No. 9). “The Yankees might have a chance to form a super rotation,” Garcia said. That doesn’t sound too bad.
