Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked fans if the Crew should trade ace Freddy Peralta this offseason. The results, perhaps unsurprisingly, were very split.
Given four options — two with a “No” and two with a “Yes” — the results ended up being 49% in favor of holding onto him for the offseason and 51% saying he should be traded (or at the very least, a trade should be considered). Let’s take a look at each of these options more closely.
The option “Yes, for the right price,” received the highest percentage of votes, at 48%. What would the right price be? Let’s take a look at some recent history for a hint.
Prior to the 2024 season, the Brewers sent ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, receiving prospects Joey Ortiz (Brewers’ No. 5 prospect entering that season) and DL Hall (graduated prospect status by that point, but ranked as Orioles’ No. 7 prospect entering 2023. That’s probably the best look we can get, at least in terms of recent history involving aces with one season left on their contract.
Last offseason, the Brewers sent closer Devin Williams to the Yankees. In return, Milwaukee got established starter Nestor Cortes (also on an expiring contract) and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, who was unranked for New York entering 2024 but turned in a solid minor league season before an even better Arizona Fall League showing.
So, what could a package for Peralta look like? Assuming Matt Arnold and Co. are looking for a similar deal, you’re probably looking at another mid-level starter (a la Cortes) to shore up Milwaukee’s rotation in 2026, as well as an infield prospect or even a developed piece to hold the team over until the flurry of top infield prospects within the Brewers’ organization are ready for the majors.
No, Try for the 2026 Postseason
I won’t say much about this option, as it’s pretty self-explanatory. The Brewers have made the postseason in seven of the last eight years, and with only a few free agents (Brandon Woodruff and Rhys Hoskins are probably the biggest ones) set to walk this offseason, they’re primed to make another playoff push in 2026. Will Arnold and Co. try to run it back one more time with their front-line ace?
No, Wait for the Trade Deadline
This option goes hand in hand with the result above, as it would indicate the Brewers are either out of playoff contention at the trade deadline, or they’re making another trade like the Josh Hader deal in 2022. I would be willing to bet they won’t make another Hader-esque trade (Remember how bad Milwaukee was down the stretch after that deal? And how the clubhouse mood changed?), but being on the bubble could also be in play.
Unsurprisingly, this result received just 3% of the vote. The Brewers haven’t undergone a true rebuild in roughly a decade, as they’ve followed their “bites of the apple” approach under both David Stearns and Matt Arnold, trying to reload via trades and prospects rather than completely resetting. This seems like the least likely option, as it would require the Brewers to at least consider trading some other veteran pieces (see: Christian Yelich, Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill, William Contreras, etc.).
