Brewers' hatred for Cubs could grow exponentially if latest trade rumor comes true

Not seven months have passed since Chicago Cubs fans were mocking Freddy Peralta by chanting "Freddy" as the Milwaukee Brewers ace couldn't find the zone in Game 4 of the National League Divisional Series. However, now those same fans are praying that a trade rumor involving Peralta and the Cubs comes to fruition in the coming weeks.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Cubs are already talking to the New York Mets about potentially acquiring Peralta in a midseason trade.

While it may feel way too early for trade rumors, two realities are true as play begins on May 6: the Mets are nine games below .500 in a competitive NL East and the Cubs desperately need starting pitching. Chicago has already lost 2025 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Cade Horton to a season-ending elbow injury, Justin Steele's timeline continues to get pushed back after he suffered a setback in his rehab process, and now Matthew Boyd is headed for surgery on his meniscus.

That's the type of injury streak that could lead Jed Hoyer and the Cubs' front office to swing an early-season trade for a starting pitcher. If they are interested in Peralta, the situation simply becomes a matter of how early the Mets are ready to throw in the towel on the 2026 season. If Levine is to be believed, that date could be as early as June 1.

Meanwhile, Brewers fans should be reading this report with an "are you kidding me?" expression on their face. Not only did they have to watch their fan favorite Peralta leave in an offseason trade to the big-market Mets, which sparked an unwarranted amount of disrespect for the Brewers' necessary method of remaining competitive in a league that's stacked against them, but now they may have to face their former ace in what is bound to be another heated division race? All because the Mets' ridiculously expensive roster has failed to produce results once again?

Freddy Peralta being traded to Chicago would raise the Brewers-Cubs rivalry to unprecedented levels

Say what you will about history and longevity, the rivalry that has brewed between the Brewers and Cubs is one of the most heated in baseball over the last decade. From Game 163 back in 2018, when the Brewers defeated the Cubs to complete an incredible comeback in the NL Central and win the division, to Craig Counsell leaving Milwaukee to become the highest-paid manager in MLB history in Chicago, to the two clubs meeting in the postseason for the first time in 2025, it has truly been one of the most entertaining battles between two division rivals.

However, the Cubs acquiring the Brewers' former ace in an attempt to put an end to Milwaukee's string of three consecutive division titles would add a whole new level to the rivalry. Peralta has been solid with the Mets this season, despite New York's otherwise disappointing season. The long-time Brewer boasts a 3.12 ERA through his first eight starts and is striking out exactly one batter per inning. There's no doubt he would have an immediate positive impact on the Cubs' rotation, which, at the current moment, is a big question mark going forward.

Plenty can happen over the next few weeks. Maybe the Mets will figure things out, jump back into the NL East race, and not want to trade their best starting pitcher. However, the fact that Peralta is already on the Cubs' radar in the second week of May is enough to agitate Brewers fans, who already had to come to terms with seeing Peralta in a Mets uniform during the offseason.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow