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Cubs Blockbuster Trade Idea Lands Brewers' Freddy Peralta Amid Early Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers haven't enjoyed much success in the early stages of the season, currently sitting at 4-4 overall.

However, the Brewers are a team that should be trusted. Despite not being the most talented squad on paper, they typically find a way to win games.

In a relatively below-average NL Central, it wouldn't be surprising to see Milwaukee at the top of the standings again.

The Chicago Cubs are the Brewers' most significant threat, and Chicago should feel comfortable taking over the throne.

Chicago are a much better team on paper, and if things go as planned, they should win the division.

And that could be a good thing for more reasons than one.

While a trade with the Brewers is always unlikely, the Cubs having one of the top farm systems in MLB makes anything possible.

If the Brewers continue to struggle and fall out of playoff contention, Freddy Peralta could be an excellent addition to this rotation.

Peralta, 28 years old, could hit free agency in 2026. He has a team option, but if the Brewers aren't in a position to win, he could be dealt at the deadline for future assets.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report believes he’s a trade chip, ranking him as one of the best 10 trade assets in the game.

"And should the Brew Crew fall hopelessly out of contention, trading away Peralta could be one heck of a way for them to expedite a rebuild that they have somehow been postponing for a few years now," Miller wrote.

"Peralta is making just $8M this season with an $8M club option for 2026, which is a preposterously low price point for one of the three pitchers (along with Zack Wheeler and Dylan Cease) who has recorded at least 200 strikeouts in each of the past two seasons."

This type of trade wouldn't be cheap for the Cubs, but they should consider it.

Throughout his eight-year career, the right-hander has posted a 3.76 ERA and has struck out 965 hitters in just 767 1/3 innings. Peralta has been excellent to start the year, posting a 2.08 ERA and striking out 16 in 13.0 innings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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