The Milwaukee Brewers, with a 39-35 record as of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, find themselves in a familiar spot: second place in the National League Central, trailing the Chicago Cubs by 6.5 games. While the Brew Crew remains in contention for a postseason berth, sitting just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, the looming Major League Baseball trade deadline—less than six weeks away—presents tough roster decisions. Known for their history of trading key players before they hit free agency, the Brewers could be poised to make a significant move this July.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently speculated on Milwaukee’s strategy, suggesting the team might consider dealing their ace, Freddy Peralta. “Like the (Tampa Bay) Rays, the Brewers have a history of dealing players as they get closer to free agency (see Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams), though trading Peralta would be a bold move given that Milwaukee sits only 1 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot,” Feinsand noted. Peralta, a 29-year-old right-hander, is under contract with an $8 million salary in 2025 and an $8 million club option for 2026, making him an attractive target for teams seeking controllable pitching.
Peralta has been a cornerstone of the Brewers’ rotation in 2025, boasting a 6-4 record, a stellar 2.60 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 84 strikeouts across 15 starts. His performance makes him a prime candidate for teams looking to bolster their pitching staff for a postseason push. Feinsand identified potential suitors, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Yankees, as teams that could pursue the talented starter.
The Yankees, in particular, are reportedly eyeing Peralta to strengthen their rotation behind Carlos Rodón and Max Fried. Acquiring a pitcher of Peralta’s caliber would provide New York with a formidable trio, but prying him away from Milwaukee won’t come cheap. The Brewers, known for their shrewd trade negotiations, would likely demand a substantial package in return for their star pitcher. With controllable pitching always a hot commodity at the trade deadline, the Yankees may need to offer a combination of top prospects and major league talent to secure Peralta.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Milwaukee to see if they pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal. Trading Peralta could reshape their roster and the postseason race, while the Yankees are quietly positioning themselves to make a bold move for the Brewers’ ace.