Brewers fans get a reprieve as new trade intel suggests Freddy Peralta might be staying put .MH

Earlier this offseason, reports indicated that the Milwaukee Brewers were already shopping Freddy Peralta. Entering his final year under contract, Peralta’s next deal should far exceed what the Brewers are able or willing to pay. A trade would at least guarantee them some kind of return instead of letting him walk for nothing.

Apparently, the front office has decided that having Peralta for one more season in Milwaukee outweighs whatever return package they could get in a trade. That, anyway, is what could be inferred from MLB insider Bob Nightengale’s latest intel for USA Today. Right now, he says, the Brewers have no plans to part with their ace of eight seasons.

One last dance?

Although Peralta is listed among players on the trade block, Nightengale’s analysis makes clear that he isn’t on the block, per se. Apparently, the reason Peralta is included on the list is only to clarify that really, he shouldn’t be.

Nightengale writes, “Despite the rumors and speculation, the Brewers are planning to keep him, knowing that at $8 million he’s an absolute steal making 33 starts and striking out 200 batters, and they need him if they’re going to run it back again.”

Bingo. Peralta is coming off a career season in which he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts. If he does anything similar next season, riding out the season with Peralta on a player option that talentwise equates to pennies on the dollar is a massively winning investment. From that angle, the proposition is almost too good to be true.

Of course, plans could change if things go sideways or someone presents an offer the Brewers can’t refuse, neither of those outcomes seems likely. The Brewers will retain the core of their 97-win squad from last season and should be in the mix for another playoff run. If another team was going to pony up a massive offer for Peralta, you’d think the Brewers would have ascertained something during their initial explorations.

For now, at least, fans can count on Peralta to be their opening day starter once again, and hopefully, one more full season of having him lead the rotation as one of the best starting arms on the mound.