Dream Milwaukee Brewers 2026 rotation would confirm some trade rumors, deny others

The Milwaukee Brewers witnessed firsthand what a dominant starting rotation can do to opposing lineups in the postseason. During an age where much of the conversation regarding postseason roster construction focuses around how much power teams can pack into one lineup, the Los Angeles Dodgers proved in the NLCS that a dominant starting staff can still be all a team needs to win a playoff series.

The Brewers have an opportunity to build somewhat of a super rotation in 2026 should they choose to stray from their recent strategy of not going "all-in" on one single season. While rumors of the Brewers trading away a pitcher, their ace Freddy Peralta, have dominated the offseason headlines, who’s to say Milwaukee won't hold on to Peralta, bring in another All-Star pitcher, and construct a World Series caliber starting rotation?

Milwaukee has the resources to construct a dominant starting rotation in 2026 by keeping Freddy Peralta and adding another elite arm

Though not their typical strategy, there are several reasons to believe that the Brewers could swing a deal for a frontline starter and construct one of the best starting rotations in franchise history next season. For starters, there are several cost-controlled starting pitchers available on the trade market who would not only slot into the second spot in Milwaukee's rotation, but also would fit in their tight payroll situation.

Names like 2025 All-Star Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins, who MLB Trade Rumors projects to make $5.8 million in 2026, or fellow 2025 All-Star MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals, who is expected to make just $4.7 million in 2026, would each elevate the Brewers' starting staff to one of the best in all of baseball. Names like Kris Bubic, Edward Cabrera, and even Shane McClanahan -- never count out the Tampa Bay Rays from making more trades -- are also reasonably priced trade targets the Brewers could add to their starting staff. That said, the first two pitchers mentioned, Ryan and Gore, likely offer the highest upside for the Brewers in 2026, and adding either to their starting staff while keeping Peralta would give Milwaukee the following lethal starting rotation:

1. Freddy Peralta
2. Joe Ryan/MacKenzie Gore
3. Brandon Woodruff
4. Quinn Priester
5. Jacob Misiorowski

Now that's a starting rotation that not only keeps the Brewers as the favorites to win the NL Central in 2026, but also gives them an excellent chance to return to the NLCS and advance to the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Here's the issue: Ryan, Gore, and each of the other three names mentioned won't come cheap. Outside of Bubic, all of them have at least two years of team control remaining, meaning the prospect price required to acquire them not only has to match their value for the 2026 season, but also the seasons of team control they hold beyond it. Just yesterday, the Rays received four strong prospects and a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Shane Baz, who, despite having more control than, say, Ryan or Gore, is not at the same level, meaning the trade package to acquire either of them could be comparable if not more head-turning.

That brings us to our second reason why the Brewers should swing a blockbuster this offseason: they have the prospect capital to get a deal done. Milwaukee's farm system has maybe never been better than it is right now. Not only do the Brewers have the top-end talent in Jesús Made, Cooper Pratt, and Luis Peña, but the depth throughout their system is truly something to behold. As a result, the Brewers could execute an uncharacteristic win-now deal this offseason and still have the prospects to keep their future bright. Pair that with the swath of young starting pitching talent that has broken through to MLB in the last two seasons, and Milwaukee absolutely has the resources for an offseason blockbuster; the question is whether or not they're willing to mortgage a slice of their future for immediate success.

Brewers fans shouldn't hold their breath, waiting for their front office to surprise them with a big-name trade acquisition this winter, but the opportunities are out there if Milwaukee wants to add to their 2025 roster that reached the NLCS rather than take away from it. As trade rumors continue to swirl, Brewers fans are hoping that certain ones, those in regard to Freddy Peralta, are denied, and others, relating to the availability of reasonably priced All-Star starters, are confirmed in their favor.