The Boston Red Sox have been active this offseason, making significant moves to improve their roster. Their trade for Garrett Crochet and the signing of Walker Buehler were moves that raised eyebrows, signaling the team’s intent to contend in the competitive American League. However, despite these additions, Boston’s pitching staff has struggled early in the season, and they’ve been hit hard by injuries. Key pitchers like Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford have all found themselves on the injured list, creating a serious concern for the Red Sox’s rotation.
If Buehler’s early-season struggles continue and the injured pitchers fail to return to form quickly, the Red Sox could be in a tight spot when it comes to their pitching depth. As the trade deadline looms, it seems increasingly likely that the Red Sox will be looking to bolster their rotation to keep pace in the fiercely competitive AL East.
Meanwhile, in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have found themselves in a similar situation. Despite winning the NL Central in back-to-back seasons, the Brewers have come out of the gate with a mediocre 5-5 record to start the year. To make matters worse, the Brewers have also been plagued by injuries to their pitching staff, leaving their rotation in disarray. With their season already showing signs of slipping away, Milwaukee could soon be faced with the decision of whether to sell off some of their valuable assets before their value diminishes.
In a new prediction, AthlonSports’ Jon Conahan suggests that the Red Sox might turn to the Brewers’ pitching staff to make a significant move at the trade deadline. Specifically, Conahan predicts that the Red Sox could target Freddy Peralta, one of the Brewers’ top pitchers, if he becomes available. Peralta is currently playing on an $8 million club option for this season, with another $8 million option for next year. Given his talent and his history as an All-Star, Peralta is severely underpaid for the role he plays as one of the Brewers’ top arms.
“Peralta could be the ideal trade chip for Milwaukee if their season continues to spiral,” Conahan wrote. “If Peralta is made available, the Brewers will likely look for a strong return, and the Red Sox are one of the few teams that could offer what they’re looking for.”
The Brewers have a track record of dealing star pitchers before they reach free agency. Just a few years ago, they traded away ace Corbin Burnes before losing him for nothing in free agency. If the Brewers find themselves falling out of contention, they may decide that dealing Peralta—who is still under club control—could be the best option.
Peralta has been a standout pitcher for the Brewers since breaking into the rotation full-time. In fact, he was an All-Star in 2021, his first full season as a starter, and he has been consistent ever since. Over the past two seasons, he has posted a 3.46 ERA and has recorded over 200 strikeouts in both campaigns. This season, he has made two starts and boasts an impressive 2.08 ERA, further showcasing his ability to dominate when healthy.
For the Red Sox, acquiring Peralta would be a massive upgrade over their current rotation. If Buehler’s struggles continue, Peralta would provide the consistency and strikeout potential that the Red Sox desperately need. With a proven track record and the ability to perform at the highest level, Peralta would undoubtedly bolster Boston’s chances as they look to stay competitive in the AL East and potentially make a playoff push.
The Red Sox have the potential to put together a solid package of prospects that could tempt the Brewers to part with Peralta. Given the current state of both teams, this trade seems like a logical move for both sides—allowing the Brewers to get something of value in return while giving the Red Sox the pitching help they need for the remainder of the season.
As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see if this rumored move comes to fruition. For the Red Sox, landing a pitcher like Peralta would be a game-changer and could be the key to securing a playoff berth. For the Brewers, the decision on whether to trade Peralta could be one of the most pivotal moments of their season.
