The Atlanta Braves have two incredible starting pitchers in Chris Sale and Spencer Strider, but they could use another frontline starting pitcher this offseason.
While they could pursue Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez, they've already spent more than normal this offseason, and instead, could scour the trade market. If they do, Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers would make a lot of sense.
At least, on the surface. According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, there are two reasons why the Braves might not be willing to spend in a trade for Peralta. Despite a fit making sense, there are two hold-ups for the Braves for a deal.
Braves 'might be reluctant' to trade for Freddy Peralta
"The Braves, with age and injury questions in their rotation, might be reluctant," Rosenthal and Sammon write.
Atlanta might not be interested in a Peralta trade due to their current uncertainty in the rotation. But the reason why they wouldn't go after Peralta doesn't have to do with the Brewers pitcher himself.
Most teams would love to add Peralta, who had an MLB-best 17 wins in 2025, to go with a 2.70 ERA and 5.5 bWAR, to their rotation.
But, the Brewers are reportedly seeking a huge return of a young, Major-League read ystarting pitcher for Peralta in a trade.
The Braves have a pitcher who would be a potential trade candidate for such a deal, as JR Ritchie could be dealt to the Brewers to acquire Peralta.
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But, with the uncertainty around Sale and Strider, along with the rest of the rotation, trading for Peralta, a rental, by sending away a young starter who could be the future of the rotation for the Braves doesn't make a lot of sense.
Even though the Braves might have interest in Peralta, as Rosenthal and Sammon point out, the Braves might not be the best landing spot due to their current rotation instability.
The lofty trade demands from the Brewers, combined with the Braves' question marks for their rotation, combine to form some bad news for any fans hoping Peralta could be acquired by Atlanta.
It's too soon to rule out a trade just yet, but based on their current circumstances and the demands for Peralta, a trade doesn't look likely at the moment.
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