Brewers President Downplays Possibility Of Freddy Peralta Trade

"Arnold didn't completely wipe a trade from the table, acknowledging the reality of Peralta's situation. "We've had to make tough decisions on the (Josh) Hader's and Corbin Burnes' of the world," Arnold said. "Freddy is certainly in that conversation." He noted that the Brewers have to listen to offers because "we're the smallest market in the league" but it seems they would prefer to keep Peralta in blue and yellow."

"One can't always take baseball executives at their word, as it's usually in their best interest to hide their true intentions. If Arnold were shopping Peralta, admitting it publicly would only diminish his leverage in trade talks. However, Andy Martino of SNY reports that rival teams are expecting Peralta to stay. Perhaps some club can bowl the Brewers over with an overwhelming offer, but it seems the winds are blowing Peralta back to Milwaukee for the moment."

"The reason it's a discussion comes from the club's history, as Arnold alluded to. The Brewers have traded key players as they have neared free agency, with Hader and Burnes two notable examples. Devin Williams is another. A trade seemed plausible enough that MLBTR gave Peralta the #8 spot on the list of Top 40 Trade Candidates for this offseason. However, it doesn't always play out that way, as Milwaukee held Willy Adames until he reached free agency. They received draft pick compensation after he rejected a qualifying offer and signed with the Giants."

Freddy Peralta is a speculative trade candidate because he reaches free agency in one year. The Brewers currently prefer to keep Peralta but must listen to offers due to small-market constraints. Rival teams generally expect Peralta to remain in Milwaukee unless presented with an overwhelming deal. The franchise has a recent history of trading high-profile pitchers near free agency, including Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams, though it has also held players like Willy Adames through free agency. Peralta will earn $8MM this season under his 2020 extension, which has delivered strong club value.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors