The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world after announcing a major trade with a National League contender and they could go back for more.
After losing two-time All-Star reliever Clay Holmes in free agency, the Yankees swapped veteran starter Nestor Cortes and prospect infielder Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for closer Devin Williams before the season began.
So far, Williams has struggled to find success in the Bronx, but the Yankees might turn back to the Brewers to land another pitcher soon – this time for their starting rotation. ESPN’s Buster Olney proposed a blockbuster trade idea that would see the Bombers land Brewers ace Freddy Peralta for some reinforcement on their frontline.
“Freddy Peralta has been one of the league’s best starters this year, and he’s earning a very affordable $8 million this year, with Milwaukee holding an $8 million option for next season,” Olney wrote. “For the Yankees, he could be a bedrock behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. If Peralta stays healthy, his value will never be higher than it is now.”
After losing Gerrit Cole for the season and with Luis Gil yet to make his 2025 debut, the Yankees seem likely to explore the external options for a pitcher as the trade deadline approaches. And Peralta could be the best option available.
He has maintained a 2.18 ERA in his first eight starts for the Brewers this season, following up a 2024 campaign that saw him rack up 200 strikeouts in 32 starts. That kind of durability and effectiveness could be a major boost for a Yankees team looking to return to the World Series with better results than it had last fall.
Ultimately, the chances of this trade idea becoming a reality could rest on the Brewers’ success in the next couple of months. If the team is out of contention in a stacked National League, though, Peralta could become available.
