Red Sox Get Encouraging Update On Potential Freddy Peralta Trade

The Boston Red Sox could be looking for a starting pitcher this offseason, but Craig Breslow has made it known that it will not be someone to slot into the back of their rotation. Freddy Peralta could be an option, and MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks his chances of being dealt just went up.

Peralta has been the Brewers’ ace over the last two seasons and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career this year. He had a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts on the season. However, he is at a point in his contract where the Milwaukee Brewers have been known to deal pitchers.

The Brewers picked up his affordable $8 million option for next season, but after that, he is a free agent. He is very cheap for an ace, and the Brewers may already know they will not be able to afford him on the open market. They could trade him a year early, like they did with Devin Williams, Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader.

Brandon Woodruff just accepted his qualifying offer, and Passan thinks that this means a Peralta trade is more likely.

“Now that Brandon Woodruff accepted a qualifying offer, executives with interest in acquiring Peralta believe it drastically increases the chances of him moving,” Passan wrote on Tuesday. “If Woodruff had hit free agency, Peralta almost certainly would have stayed. Now Milwaukee has more flexibility to see how much it can get for a frontline starter with an ultra-cheap $8 million salary.”

Peralta’s cheap salary makes him a very attractive pitcher. Some team is going to pay him, and if Milwaukee knows they are not going to be that team, a package of prospects could entice them to deal their ace. Woodruff is an All-Star pitcher that the team may be able to lean on now that he has accepted the qualifying offer.

Peralta would instantly slot in as the Red Sox’s No. 2 starter. He and Garrett Crochet would be one of the best duos in baseball. If his chances of being dealt are truly high, the Red Sox would be wise to give the Brewers a call.