The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t in the business of sentimentality. They’re in the business of sustainability, and Freddy Peralta, despite everything he’s done, might be the next fan-favorite they let walk away.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Peralta has been attempting to secure a long-term extension. But if you’ve followed the Brewers long enough, you already know how this probably ends.
A History of Letting Go
This is the same team that traded Josh Hader with a playoff spot on the line. The same team that moved on from Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes rather than pay him market value. When the price tag climbs, Milwaukee’s front office typically steps back.
Even though Peralta’s under club control through 2026 thanks to a team-friendly extension he signed in 2020, it’s hard to imagine the Brewers shelling out what it would take to lock him in beyond that. That’s not a knock on Peralta—it’s just the Brewers’ blueprint.
Pitching Contracts Aren’t in the Budget
Milwaukee has only gone into nine-figure territory twice, and both were for franchise position players (Ryan Braun and Christian Yelich). The most they’ve paid a pitcher is $50 million to Matt Garza… in 2014.
Peralta’s next deal will likely need to be in the $100 million range. He’s earned it. He’s posted a 3.40 ERA over the last five seasons, ranks among the top 20 pitchers in fWAR during that span, and is just 29 years old. These are the numbers that got Luis Castillo, Tyler Glasnow, and Joe Musgrove massive extensions.
But Peralta also plays in Milwaukee, not San Diego, not Seattle, not Los Angeles. If the Brewers weren’t willing to keep Hader or Burnes, is it realistic to think they’ll pay the market price for another ace?
The Rotation Logjam Complicates Things
There’s another factor working against Peralta’s extension: the Brewers’ current depth. Jacob Misiorowski is already up, Chad Patrick and Quinn Priester have held their own, and Brandon Woodruff and Nestor Cortes are both working their way back.
They just shipped Aaron Civale to the White Sox after moving him to the bullpen—a sign of how crowded things have gotten. Tobias Myers and Logan Henderson are both performing in Triple-A. Milwaukee may not need to spend big on a starter if they believe the next man up can be just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
A Familiar Pattern Could Repeat
Even if the Brewers don’t trade Peralta at this year’s deadline, don’t rule out a move this offseason. That’s precisely when Burnes got dealt: one year from free agency, still with value, and before Milwaukee had to answer tough questions from agents and arbitration panels.
Of course, Peralta is different in one key way—he’s the current ace. Trading him would send a far stronger message to the clubhouse than moving Civale or even Burnes. But again, we’ve seen this movie before—the Brewers value control, flexibility, and future value. Paying for past performance isn’t part of the script.
Bottom Line
Peralta has done everything right. He’s stayed healthy, been elite, and expressed his desire to stay in Milwaukee. But unless he’s willing to take another deep hometown discount, the writing is on the wall.
The Brewers will probably pick up his 2026 option. After that? All signs point to another headline-grabbing trade that makes fans angry now and makes the front office look savvy later.
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