The Toronto Blue Jays have a lot of pitching talent in their rotation and on the mound. But with several exits, they are looking to beef up their arms for another long season. It’s also rumor season, where everyone from Tarik Skubal to Mackenzie Gore can be had for the right price. This list also extends to Freddy Peralta.
Yesterday, every team that extended a qualifying offer received an answer. For the Blue Jays, Bo Bichette rejected his qualifying offer, while four others accepted. Of the four that accepted their offer, Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ QO could have the most significant impact on Toronto. Namely, because of Peralta’s potential availability.
Freddy Peralta Linked to the Toronto Blue Jays
Keegan Matheson of MLB.com has recently linked the Blue Jays to the Brewers ace, Peralta.
In a piece discussing the future of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation, he looked at several free agency options. The one trade option that Matheson revealed was Peralta.
“Looks like the Blue Jays’ dream addition in every way,” Matheson said of Peralta’s potential fit with the Blue Jays in his piece published on November 19. “With one year left on his deal in Milwaukee, he’s the single most attractive pitcher of those realistically available to Toronto via trade.”
While Matt Arnold, the Brewers president, isn’t keen on the idea of trading Peralta, he hasn’t completely ruled it out either.
Peralta hit his third consecutive 30-plus start, 200-plus strikeout season. In 2025, he recorded 17 wins, 204 strikeouts, 33 starts, including 13 quality starts in 176 2/3 innings. Additionally, he recorded a 1.08 WHIP and a 2.90 ERA.
Freddy Peralta Available in the Aftermath of Qualifying Offers
With Woodruff signed to the Brewers for one more year (thanks to signing a QO), things are murky with Peralta. Jeff Passan addressed this muriness in a recent piece where he examined the free agency and trade markets.
“Now that Brandon Woodruff accepted a qualifying offer, executives with interest in acquiring Peralta believe it drastically increases the chances of him moving,” Passan reasoned on November 18. “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.”
It’s possible we would have been talking about a potential match between the Blue Jays and Woodruff had he declined the QO.
Peralta Has Many Suitors
In late October, Jim Bowden discussed the possibility of the Brewers trading Peralta.
“The Brewers are expected to do the exact same thing they did two years ago with their then-ace Corbin Burnes and trade him,” Bowden revealed on October 23rd. “Peralta is coming off the best year of his career as he’s really figured out how to use and mix his dominant stuff. Fastball Freddy held opposing batters to a .209 average against his four-seamer, .173 against his changeup, .183 against his curveball, and .157 against his slider.”
“He’s a true top-of-the-rotation ace at age 29.”
Bowden then revealed who he thinks would be in on Peralta.
“There will be plenty of interest in him on the trade market,” Bowden reasoned. “With the Red Sox, Orioles, Mets, Angels, Astros, Giants, Padres, and Tigers all likely to inquire on him.”
While the Blue Jays aren’t on this list, there is no reason to count Toronto out of the picture. Luckily for Blue Jays fans, it’s a long winter that will undoubtedly result in many twists and turns.
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