The New York Yankees’ starting rotation has struggled out of the gate this season, with the group combining for an ERA above 4.00. As the summer trade market nears, the Yankees are expected to explore options to strengthen their pitching staff. After trading Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for reliever Devin Williams, New York is now reportedly monitoring another Brewers pitcher — Freddy Peralta.
Peralta, an All-Star in 2021, posted a 2.81 ERA that season and has consistently kept his ERA under 4.00 in the years since. He’s off to another strong start in 2025, entering Tuesday with a 2.43 ERA over six appearances. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is treading water in a weak NL Central, and if their season doesn’t take a turn soon, they may be inclined to move one of their most valuable pitchers.
The Yankees are facing serious rotation issues, with ace Gerrit Cole sidelined for the entire season and reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil not expected back until June. Marcus Stroman is also on the injured list and isn’t projected to return until sometime in May. With three key starters missing, acquiring Freddy Peralta would help stabilize a depleted rotation as the long season continues.
According to Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports, one potential trade chip could be outfield prospect Spencer Jones. Once dubbed the next Aaron Judge, Jones has seen his stock dip after a challenging minor league season in which he struck out 200 times. A former first-round pick in 2022 out of Vanderbilt, Jones still has significant upside, which could appeal to Milwaukee if they consider moving their ace.
Freddy Peralta is in the final year of his current contract, which includes a club option for next season. Any team that acquires him would likely exercise that option, keeping him for at least one more year. With this in mind, the Brewers could use Peralta’s value to their advantage, potentially driving up the price for his services while also positioning themselves for the future by securing a mix of prospects and major league-ready talent in return.
