Yankees may be front-runners for prized trade target Freddy Peralta

The New York Yankees may be ready to strike after a quiet offseason.

According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Brewers are getting closer to trading pitcher Freddy Peralta. Kirschner noted that while several teams have inquired about Peralta's availability, the Yankees are currently the frontrunners for his services.

The Yankees may pay a heavy price if they emerge victorious in the Peralta sweepstakes. The Brewers reportedly want at least one young major league pitcher in any deal. Kirschner speculated that a pitcher such as Luis Gil or Will Warren could be that starter heading back to Milwaukee. Despite being under team control for one more season, Peralta's $8 million salary for 2026 makes him more coveted than the traditional rental, hence the Brewers' demands.

Freddy Peralta would transform New York Yankees rotation

Peralta had a stellar performance in 2025 as he earned his second All-Star berth and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young balloting. He posted a 2.70 ERA and a 1.075 WHiP over his 176.2 innings, striking out 204 batters with 66 walks. 

Adding Peralta would help solidify a rotation with several question marks behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. Clarke Schmidt and Gerrit Cole are expected to miss the first half of the season while recuperating from elbow surgery. Gil was sidelined for most of the 2025 season due to a strained right lat. Warren had a rollercoaster of a season, showing his potential while having times where he struggled to get outs. Cam Schlittler was impressive in his 14 starts but needs to prove himself over a full season.

Peralta would be a stabilizing force in the rotation. He has made at least 30 starts in each of the past three seasons and is one of just 19 pitchers to eclipse the 500-inning mark in that span. Given the Yankees' question marks, adding Peralta may be what they need to end their quiet offseason.