2026 Trade/Waiver Targets

[LouisEly]

2 hours ago, KCBrewerfan34 said:

Robbie Ray (SF out of it)

He's been taking advantage of a pitcher's park at home, but has been just awful on the road this year.

He was pretty even though home vs road in 2025, so maybe it is just a blip.  Definitely need some advanced analytics to see which is real, 2026 or 2025.

[TURBO]

3 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Unless the Brewers intend to tax their young arms, they have e a critical need for innings. Drohan is at 73 IP this year, he hasn’t topped 55 innings in a season since 2023.

Henderson pitched a career best 103 innings last year and is at 57 already this year.

Harrison pitched 112 innings last year, has 83 IP this year and has forearm tightness already. 
 

Misiorowski pitched 141 innings (including post season), and is at 111 IP now and had arm fatigue.

Peralta would be just want the doctor ordered a guy to take the ball every 5th day and give you 5-6 innings, but probably impossible for Stearns to trade him back and not admit he made a mistake. 

 

 

but Peralta is NOT an innings guy.

Look at his Mets starts this year, even worse than with the Brewers.

He hasn't even made it to 5 innings completed since the last week in June.

Hasn't gotten through 6 total innings since June 9th.

4.66 ERA for the season

1.438 WHIP for the season

Nothing I'm seeing is the kind of pitcher we want.

I'd hope there are other options out there unless the front office thinks he will magically turn into old Freddy upon his arrival back to Milwaukee.  Even old Freddy doesn't eat innings.  He makes his starts, yes, but anything more than 5.0 innings is a bonus.

I'm just not interested.

[Jopal78]

53 minutes ago, TURBO said:

but Peralta is NOT an innings guy.

Look at his Mets starts this year, even worse than with the Brewers.

He hasn't even made it to 5 innings completed since the last week in June.

Hasn't gotten through 6 total innings since June 9th.

4.66 ERA for the season

1.438 WHIP for the season

Nothing I'm seeing is the kind of pitcher we want.

I'd hope there are other options out there unless the front office thinks he will magically turn into old Freddy upon his arrival back to Milwaukee.  Even old Freddy doesn't eat innings.  He makes his starts, yes, but anything more than 5.0 innings is a bonus.

I'm just not interested.

Peralta has 104.1 innings across 20 starts so he does average 5 IP/start even with the recent struggles you highlight. 
 

Point remains the Brewers are going to need innings from somewhere, or their season will die on the vine before October 

[jay87shot]

I do think that we need to add a vet starter as our main need. However we can reduce some of the young starter work loads in other ways. Like we did with Misi last year we can just limit Henderson and Harrison (Sproat/Gasser). Options inclide using a 6 man rotation, piggybacking a multi-inning reliever and limiting them to 60-70 pitches occasionally, putting them in the bullpen the last month or so (especially if we add a vet), or just send to AAA for a couple very short starts.

What about trading for Nick Lodolo from the Reds? We have traded with the Reds in recent history. He is on the IL for blisters but should be fresh for the run. He has 1.5 years so the Reds could move him for a solid return and gives us an upside starter. He would cost a decent package but probably not as much as Ryan, Soriano, or Detmers.

 

[Jopal78]

5 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I do think that we need to add a vet starter as our main need. However we can reduce some of the young starter work loads in other ways. Like we did with Misi last year we can just limit Henderson and Harrison (Sproat/Gasser). Options inclide using a 6 man rotation, piggybacking a multi-inning reliever and limiting them to 60-70 pitches occasionally, putting them in the bullpen the last month or so (especially if we add a vet), or just send to AAA for a couple very short starts.

What about trading for Nick Lodolo from the Reds? We have traded with the Reds in recent history. He is on the IL for blisters but should be fresh for the run. He has 1.5 years so the Reds could move him for a solid return and gives us an upside starter. He would cost a decent package but probably not as much as Ryan, Soriano, or Detmers.

 

Why not target Brady Singer over Lodolo? Singer is a pure rental, and Brewers aren’t likely to part with the talent it would take to acquire Lodolo who isn’t eligible for free agency until 2028. 

[Lathund]

 

On 7/18/2026 at 3:00 PM, KCBrewerfan34 said:

Not sure this would be a good look for Stearns. He’s not getting Sproat and Jett back. 

Probably some selective memory at work here, but whenever I see Hector Gomez with any transaction rumor, it ends up not happening. The reply to that is then usually that he's got good connections and sources as far as dominican players go, but hasn't been true in my experience. 

Brewers being interested in Peralta makes sense. They'd be buying fairly low, and they know what they're getting. But it's just not going to happen. The optics would just be so bad for the Mets to trade him back for less than what they gave up. He's getting traded, just won't be to the Brewers. 

[liveforoctober]

40 minutes ago, Lathund said:

 

Probably some selective memory at work here, but whenever I see Hector Gomez with any transaction rumor, it ends up not happening. The reply to that is then usually that he's got good connections and sources as far as dominican players go, but hasn't been true in my experience. 

Brewers being interested in Peralta makes sense. They'd be buying fairly low, and they know what they're getting. But it's just not going to happen. The optics would just be so bad for the Mets to trade him back for less than what they gave up. He's getting traded, just won't be to the Brewers. 

I know this isn't how baseball works, but I hope Stearns gives us the last right of refusal if it is the Cubs or Cardinals that Peralta is going to. If the Cubs make the best offer than so be it ... but I hope Stearns has enough respect for us that he would come back to say "this is what it is, I'll let you decide if you want to beat it or not".

[brewerfan82]

For anyone curious what BTV thinks may be a fair trade, I found this just now. Not saying it's a good deal, a bad deal, or an accurate portrayal of values, just throwing it out there to add to the discussion ;)

[tmwiese55]

17 hours ago, KCBrewerfan34 said:

A couple of possible targets. 
 

Robbie Ray (SF out of it)

Tyler Soderstrom (A’s have an OF surplus).

 

no idea what we would have to pay. I would like Ray a lot 

I doubt As move Soderstrum but if reports are true that they're listening he is someone that could make sense for MKE because of the contract he's on.  We'd likely have to give up significantly to get him though due to that control.   I'd assume one of Frelick/Mitchell would be in it to free up our logjam.  Next year could flip to 1B a lot if they let Bauers/Vaughn go.    Its a big splash move and I don't think they'll do it, but it address their power void.   

Since Mitchell is finally playing so well I doubt they'll want to trade him.  For me, I'd be up for trying to cash Mitchell out while you can and since he's not controlled all that much longer and his price is going to start going up.  But start with Frelick then who knows what prospects would be required. 

[Team Canada]

3 hours ago, brewerfan82 said:

For anyone curious what BTV thinks may be a fair trade, I found this just now. Not saying it's a good deal, a bad deal, or an accurate portrayal of values, just throwing it out there to add to the discussion ;)

Obviously it's just a strawman, but I'm not convinced Peralta outperforms Gasser over the next few years (and I'm not the hugest Gasser fan). Will he outperform him this year? Maybe, but given how Milwaukee has to operate, I would be hard pressed to trade a serviceable (if inconsistent) starter for a few starts from non-peak Freddy.

[TURBO]

1 hour ago, Team Canada said:

Obviously it's just a strawman, but I'm not convinced Peralta outperforms Gasser over the next few years (and I'm not the hugest Gasser fan). Will he outperform him this year? Maybe, but given how Milwaukee has to operate, I would be hard pressed to trade a serviceable (if inconsistent) starter for a few starts from non-peak Freddy.

I'd bet money that Gasser outperforms Peralta for the remainder of this season.

To me, that trade is senseless.

I don't think Freddy Peralta is the same Freddy Peralta we knew when he was in Milwaukee.

He makes his starts, but that's it, he's just not good.

It would be one thing if Freddy was a guy who could get you 7 innings on occasion, but he's not.  He barely can even get you into the 6th inning.

2026:

20 starts

He has pitched 7 innings once.  One time.

He's completed 6 innings 5 times.

6 times he has failed to even reach the 5th inning.

That means he has pitched less than 6 innings 14 out of 20 starts.

 

[dlk9s]

Cubs DFA'ed Drew Pomeranz and he'll probably hit free agency. He's been bad this year, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Brewers kick the tires.

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, Team Canada said:

Obviously it's just a strawman, but I'm not convinced Peralta outperforms Gasser over the next few years (and I'm not the hugest Gasser fan). Will he outperform him this year? Maybe, but given how Milwaukee has to operate, I would be hard pressed to trade a serviceable (if inconsistent) starter for a few starts from non-peak Freddy.

 

 

37 minutes ago, TURBO said:

I'd bet money that Gasser outperforms Peralta for the remainder of this season.

To me, that trade is senseless.

I don't think Freddy Peralta is the same Freddy Peralta we knew when he was in Milwaukee.

He makes his starts, but that's it, he's just not good.

It would be one thing if Freddy was a guy who could get you 7 innings on occasion, but he's not.  He barely can even get you into the 6th inning.

2026:

20 starts

He has pitched 7 innings once.  One time.

He's completed 6 innings 5 times.

6 times he has failed to even reach the 5th inning.

That means he has pitched less than 6 innings 14 out of 20 starts.

 

As an initial matter, I don’t know if 15+ starts from Peralta is worth 4 years of team control of a generic back of rotation/swing man. I do know those trade evaluator sites are basically BS generators. 

However, the two pitchers are entirely different profiles. Even with slightly diminished stuff Peralta at 30 years old throws harder than Gasser (27) with better movement on the fastball. Peralta has the better change up and throws a curve ball.

Gasser sits at 92 and moves the ball from side to side with his sinker, cutter and sweeper. Not a bad pitcher just less margin for error than someone who can throw at the top of the zone and dare batters to hit it. 
 

Pitchers have down  years sometimes, (Darvish in ‘21, Nola in ‘21 Berrios in ‘22 etc) but absent an arm injury for Freddy,  he’ll be the better pitcher over the next few years .

[Jopal78]

46 minutes ago, TURBO said:

 

It would be one thing if Freddy was a guy who could get you 7 innings on occasion, but he's not.  He barely can even get you into the 6th inning.

2026:

20 starts

He has pitched 7 innings once.  One time.

He's completed 6 innings 5 times.

6 times he has failed to even reach the 5th inning.

That means he has pitched less than 6 innings 14 out of 20 starts.

 

I’m not arguing he’s awesome but you’re slicing the numbers in a misleading way to make your point. Peralta coming into tonight has made 20 starts and pitched 104.1 innings. That’s technically a hair over 5ip/start. 
 

Outside of Miz the Brewers don’t have a pitcher averaging more than 5IP/start either.

[wiguy94]

12 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Outside of Miz the Brewers don’t have a pitcher averaging more than 5IP/start either.

Gasser and Drohan both have 10 GS, 51.1 IP. That's over 5 IP/start.

Henderson not counting him being an opener in Kansas City before he was stretched out is at 6 GS, 31.1 IP. That's over 5 IP/start.

Harrison has had two injury shortened starts. If you take those out he's averaging over 5 IP per start at 15 GS, 76.2 IP

[TURBO]

18 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

I’m not arguing he’s awesome but you’re slicing the numbers in a misleading way to make your point. Peralta coming into tonight has made 20 starts and pitched 104.1 innings. That’s technically a hair over 5ip/start. 
 

 

I don't need to mislead to make my point, his numbers and starts do that for me.  Anyone can look at what I typed, it isn't misleading at all.  It's factual.

[Jopal78]

4 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Gasser and Drohan both have 10 GS, 51.1 IP. That's over 5 IP/start.

Henderson not counting him being an opener in Kansas City before he was stretched out is at 6 GS, 31.1 IP. That's over 5 IP/start.

Harrison has had two injury shortened starts. If you take those out he's averaging over 5 IP per start at 15 GS, 76.2 IP

Yep, I’ll stand by my statement they don’t have an SP averaging MORE than 5 IP/start. 
 
Peralta by comparison has 104 1/3 innings pitched in 5 starts, so if we want to split hairs and argue technically these folks have more than 5IP/start, he’s still averaging more than every starter on the Brewers not named Misiorowski. 

[TURBO]

19 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Outside of Miz the Brewers don’t have a pitcher averaging more than 5IP/start either.

Well, even if that were true,  (technically it isn't)  can't we shoot for better than just another guy who can't go more than 5 innings?

Just because he is Freddy Peralta, former Brewer, doesn't mean there isn't a better option out there.  I mean, if we didn't have history with him, would anyone look at his 2026 season and think he is the guy we should go out and get?

I'm saying no.

[wiguy94]

Just now, Jopal78 said:

Yep, I’ll stand by my statement they don’t have an SP averaging MORE than 5 IP/start. 
 
Peralta by comparison has 104 1/3 innings pitched in 5 starts, so if we want to split hairs and argue technically these folks have more than 5IP/start, he’s still averaging more than every starter on the Brewers not named Misiorowski. 

You literally already said Peralta is over 5 IP/start in this thread which is why I brought up those other pitchers...

"I'm not arguing he’s awesome but you’re slicing the numbers in a misleading way to make your point. Peralta coming into tonight has made 20 starts and pitched 104.1 innings. That’s technically a hair over 5ip/start. 
 

Outside of Miz the Brewers don’t have a pitcher averaging more than 5IP/start either."

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, TURBO said:

Well, even if that were true,  (technically it isn't)  can't we shoot for better than just another guy who can't go more than 5 innings?

Just because he is Freddy Peralta, former Brewer, doesn't mean there isn't a better option out there.  I mean, if we didn't have history with him, would anyone look at his 2026 season and think he is the guy we should go out and get?

I'm saying no.

That’s the rub is it not?  They have to find starting pitching somewhere because the arms they have now are not going to make it to the finish line without being pushed beyond the limit. Yet the odds of them trading the blue chip prospects needed to land Skubal or someone of that ilk (the “better option as you suggest) is likely next to nil. 

Recent history suggests the Brewers are likely shopping in the back of the rotation/bargain aisle. Freddy Peralta would be right there, Brady Singer, Tyler Mahle too. All pitchers who are going to take the ball, give them five plus innings and generally keep the team in the game. 

 

 

[jay87shot]

9 hours ago, brewerfan82 said:

For anyone curious what BTV thinks may be a fair trade, I found this just now. Not saying it's a good deal, a bad deal, or an accurate portrayal of values, just throwing it out there to add to the discussion ;)

Gasser only being worth 3.2 is a joke or just hasn't been updated in a year. Bitonti and a rule 5 guy we likely wont keep would be my guess (Kuehner?) would be closer to value. However with a weak market the Mets should get an overpay.

 

15 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Why not target Brady Singer over Lodolo? Singer is a pure rental, and Brewers aren’t likely to part with the talent it would take to acquire Lodolo who isn’t eligible for free agency until 2028. 

I just dont see Singer being an upgrade over Gasser, Crow, etc.. Lodolo has enough stuff and upside that our staff could get him back to that solid 3 we've seen him. With the weaker market we are going to likely have to pay up to upgrade.

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, jay87shot said:

Gasser only being worth 3.2 is a joke or just hasn't been updated in a year. Bitonti and a rule 5 guy we likely wont keep would be my guess (Kuehner?) would be closer to value. However with a weak market the Mets should get an overpay.

 

I just dont see Singer being an upgrade over Gasser, Crow, etc.. Lodolo has enough stuff and upside that our staff could get him back to that solid 3 we've seen him. With the weaker market we are going to likely have to pay up to upgrade.

It’s the innings…. Gasser and Crow are likely to be shut down by September and the Brewers need someone to take the ball. Heck, they limited Misiorowski to 65 pitches tonight even though he was cruising and had a huge lead. 
 

In fact,  Crow is probably close to done already at 66 total innings, he has already thrown the most he has in four years. Gasser too has already thrown more innings this year than he has in the prior three seasons. 

[wiguy94]

11 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

It’s the innings…. Gasser and Crow are likely to be shut down by September and the Brewers need someone to take the ball. Heck, they limited Misiorowski to 65 pitches tonight even though he was cruising and had a huge lead. 
 

In fact,  Crow is probably close to done already at 66 total innings, he has already thrown the most he has in four years. Gasser too has already thrown more innings this year than he has in the prior three seasons. 

Gasser threw 135 innings in 2023. He's at 78 right now so no he's not close to having thrown more innings this year than he has in the prior three seasons.

[Jopal78]

6 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Gasser threw 135 innings in 2023. He's at 78 right now so no he's not close to having thrown more innings this year than he has in the prior three seasons.

Any way you want to say it, the point is the same. Gasser is at 78 innings  now and threw a combined total of 78 innings in 2024 and 2025.

So realistically what does he have left in the tank?