MLB Network's latest Freddy Peralta mock trade is one Brewers fans can get behind

When the Milwaukee Brewers traded Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles on February 1, 2024, just months after Brandon Woodruff went down with a shoulder injury that was likely to keep him out for at least the 2024 season, Freddy Peralta immediately became the heart and soul of the starting rotation. He filled the role about as well as any Brewers fan could have hoped over the past two seasons, making a combined 65 starts and posting a stellar 3.19 ERA.

However, Peralta's success didn't just start when he assumed the "ace" duties in Milwaukee; he was an All-Star long before that. Second only to his 2025 season, in regard to Peralta's best single-season ERA, is the 2.81 mark that he posted back in 2021, when the Brew Crew had one of the best rotations in the history of their franchise. Since that 2021 campaign, which succeeded some inconsistency at the beginning of his career, Peralta has been nothing short of outstanding. Averaging nearly 28 starts a season from 2021-25, the right-hander holds a collective 3.30 ERA with 895 strikeouts -- far more than the 738.1 innings he's covered during the stretch.

Additionally, throughout that time, Peralta has developed as a pitcher, never succumbing to complacency. A large reason for his success in 2021 was the addition of an elite slider, which has become his best pitch. He's continued to develop a changeup that has improved his effectiveness against left-handed hitters, and his deceiving four-seamer that gave him the nickname "Fastball Freddy" when he was a rising star, is now even more effective following the improvement to his secondary offerings.

Paired with the fact that the 2x All-Star is set to earn just $8 million in 2026, it's clear why Peralta's trade market is robust, as has been constantly reported by MLB insiders throughout the offseason. With teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets all interested in his services, and the Brewers' front office holding the leverage of not needing to trade him, one season of Peralta is likely to fetch a significant return. However, MLB Network's latest mock trade might be in the realm of "best case scenarios," and Brewers fans should be careful not to let it impact their view of the actual trade package should a deal go down this winter.

MLB Network proposes Brewers-Mets swap that would make losing Freddy Peralta far easier to stomach

While the Brewers trading Peralta this offseason is starting to feel like an inevitability, the move should not be taken lightly. Not only is the 29-year-old right-hander an extremely talented pitcher, but he was an important presence in Milwaukee's clubhouse last year. Those are the types of players that teams don't trade away for just any old return.

However, having experienced both the Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams trades in the last two offseasons, Brewers fans are aware that the trade return for one of their star pitchers can initially look slightly underwhelming. It's important to keep in mind that the Brewers are trading one year of Peralta's services, regardless of whether or not the acquiring team chooses to extend him. That said, an acquiring team in this scenario also has to account for the draft compensation that the Brewers would receive if they hang on to Peralta for the 2026 season and extend him the qualifying offer next offseason, which he would almost certainly decline, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Even with that added value included in the deal, the trade that MLB Network proposed last night feels like one that Mets' President of Baseball Operations, old friend David Stearns, would decline rather quickly.

Jonah Tong is MLB Pipeline's No. 46-ranked prospect in baseball, and debuted last season, meaning he's a highly-talented MLB-ready arm. Though his numbers in MLB last season don't look great, he possesses an elite fastball-changeup combo that is almost guaranteed to find success at the big-league level. Brett Baty, meanwhile, was MLB Pipeline's No. 21-ranked prospect prior to his 2023 rookie season. After a slow start to his career, the now-26-year-old Baty broke out in 2025, posting 3.1 bWAR with 18 homers and an OPS+ of 111. Tong and Baty have six and four years of team control remaining, respectively, making the pair an expensive price to pay for one year of Peralta, and that's without mentioning Ronny Mauricio.

Mauricio, whose introduction to MLB has been greatly impacted by an ACL tear that he suffered in February of 2024, was an intriguing prospect in his own right. He possesses a ton of power, which he displayed throughout the minor leagues, and has the ability to play both the infield and outfield defensively. Like Baty, Mauricio has four years of team control remaining.

Peralta is no doubt a special talent; he would immediately raise the ceiling of the Mets' starting rotation, and would likely entertain the idea of signing a long-term extension. However, convincing Stearns to give up a trade package of this size would be difficult for the Brewers' front office to achieve. Take one of the three pieces out of the return (preferably the unproven Mauricio), and the trade starts to look slightly more reasonable.

The reason why the Brewers have a chance here is the fact that the Mets could easily withstand the departures of Tong and Baty from their current roster. After signing infielder Bo Bichette last week, the Mets have a surplus of infielders, and Baty looks to be one of the odd men out. In the rotation, New York has young stars Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat to keep them encouraged about the future of their pitching staff even if they move Tong.

The old adage "you have to give something to get something" rings true once again, and if the Mets want to add an All-Star ace to their rotation for the 2026 season, it's going to cost them. Maybe not quite the price that MLB Network proposed, and it's important Brewers fans temper their expectations, but with the massive amount of interest in Peralta on the trade market, Milwaukee's front office isn't going to settle for an underwhelming return.