The Milwaukee Brewers have long been known for either trading away or not signing their top players as they approach free agency.
With their ace, Freddy Peralta, it may be no different once it's time to decide on whether to sign him to a long-term extension.
Freddy Peralta named as a top 'trade chip'
Freddy Peralta had another stellar season in a Brewers uniform. In 176.2 innings this season, he struck out 204 batters to the tune of a 2.70 ERA. Peralta is on an extremely team-friendly deal that has one year remaining, which is the 2026 season.
In a recent Bleacher Report article that names the top 25 trade chips ahead of the offseason, Milwaukee's ace is listed as the second-best potential trade piece:
"Freddy Peralta has been playing on a team-friendly six-year, $22 million extension since the 2020 season, and that deal wraps up with an $8 million club option in 2026, so if they plan to flip him rather than keep him beyond this year then now is the time."
The idea of Milwaukee trading away such a valuable piece of its team seems bizarre, but its track record checks out in terms of losing star players to free agency.
Another factor is that there aren't any superstar starting pitchers that are in this free agent class. Framber Valdez is probably the best name available, and Peralta has proven to be a little more dominant in the last few seasons.
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