Matthew Lenz

Every year, MLB Trade Rumors releases a list of the most likely trade candidates for the offseason. In this season's edition, they named a total of 40 players, including Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher, as the 8th-best trade candidate. Across 33 starts in 2025, Peralta pitched 176 2/3 innings, recording 204 strikeouts to surpass the 200-strikeout mark for the third consecutive season, joining an exclusive group in franchise history. Peralta finished the regular season with a strong 2.70 ERA, though his expected outcomes metrics suggest some regression moving forward with a 3.64 FIP per FanGraphs. His production led to his second All-Star selection and generated a 5.5 bWAR. He has an $8 million team option for 2026 and will be a free agent at season's end. While the Brewers are known for flipping high-end assets for more controllable pieces (e.g., Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, and Devin Williams), they bucked that trend with Willy Adames last offseason. Instead, they opted to keep the shortstop for the duration of his arbitration years and collected a draft pick when he was signed by the San Francisco Giants. However, the Brewers have the necessary pitching depth to at least gauge the market for Peralta. Do you think the Brewers should trade Peralta? Let us know what you think in the comments! View full rumor

MLBTR is reporting that this offseason's cutoff for Super Two arbitration eligibility will be around two years and 139-140 days. Super Two status in Major League Baseball is a special designation that allows a select group of players to become eligible for salary arbitration one year earlier than the typical eligibility requirement. To qualify, a player must rank in the top 22% (rounded to the nearest whole number) of total Major League service time among all players who have between two and three years of service. In short, Brice Turang will be eligible for arbitration this offseason instead of being on a rookie minimum salary. The team's most valuable player in 2025, Turang carried a .749 OPS with 18 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. He led the team in bWAR (5.5), runs (97), home runs, and runs batted in. He was also recognized as a National League Silver Slugger finalist at the Keystone. How do you think this impacts the Brewers' offseason plans? View full rumor

Coming off a campaign that saw them have the best record in baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly open to offers on their rotation ace, Freddy Peralta . A couple of weeks ago, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reported that the "[Milwaukee] Brewers are expected to at least field offers for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta." Across 33 starts in 2025, Peralta pitched 176 2/3 innings, recording 204 strikeouts to surpass the 200-strikeout mark for the third consecutive season, joining an exclusive group in franchise history. Peralta finished the regular season with a strong 2.70 ERA, though his expected outcomes metrics suggest some regression moving forward with a 3.64 FIP per FanGraphs. His production led to his second All-Star selection and generated a 5.5 bWAR. He has an $8 million team option for 2026 and will be a free agent at season's end. As a "small market" team, the Brewers have become accustomed to flipping high-end assets on expiring contracts for younger, controllable assets - as they did with Corbin Burnes following the 2023 season. Though Peralta doesn't have the track record that Burnes had, a weak free agent class could drive up his value. Do you think the Brewers should trade Peralta? View full rumor

The Milwaukee Brewers have an arsenal of starting pitchers and are in a position to move one of those pieces to improve their roster elsewhere. While the rumor mill has been relatively mum on the Brewers' plans at the deadline, they are in a position to sell a big league piece or two while also buying. Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers are listening to offers on starting pitcher Nestor Cortes. Cortes has been on the injured list since with a flexor strain after making just two starts for the Brewers Crew back in April. He was roughed up in the first start of the season, allowing five runs over two innings, but rebounded nicely in his second start against the Cincinnati Reds. He went six innings, striking out six, and not allowing a run. In four minor league rehab starts, he has posted a 21.8% strikeout-minus-walk rate over 18 innings. Do you think the Brewers should deal Cortes? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Relative to other buyers, trade deadline rumors regarding the Milwaukee Brewers have been a bit quiet. On an episode of Foul Territory on Wednesday, Jim Bowden stoked that fire a bit by reporting that the club is looking to improve the left side of the infield over the next week. Joey Ortiz has been the primary shortstop for the Brewers this season. In 98 games, he holds an OPS of .589 with 7 home runs, 42 runs scored, and 31 runs batted in. Ortiz has also added 9 stolen bases this season. Defensively, he has continued to be a valuable asset, recording 8 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). He has also seen time at third and second base. While Ortiz has been great defensively, his offense has been putrid. It's possible the Brewers would be looking for a more balanced player at the position. Initially a game of musical chairs, Caleb Durbin has locked down the hot corner. Since May 21st, Durbin ranks first in OBP (.391), eighth in slugging (.456), and fifth in wRC+ (142) amongst third baseman. He's hit five home runs and stolen nine bases on the season. Moreover, he currently has 14 DRS. What shortstops should the Brewers target? Should they look to upgrade from Durbin? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

As the "first half" of the season was coming to an end Sunday, independent reporter Francys Romero dropped an exciting rumor surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers and their phenom starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. The two sides have already had extension talks as the team is looking to buy out his arbitration and pre-arbitration years. Misiorowski, 23, has been dominant in his first five big-league starts, which resulted in him being named to the National League All-Star team. In 25 2/3 innings of work, he's recorded a 2.81 ERA, though a 3.82 FIP, suggesting some underlying weakness. Misiorowski has demonstrated impressive control with a strikeout minus walk rate (K-BB%) of 22.1%. The Brewers made a similar move with Jackson Chourio, who signed an eight-year contract for a guaranteed for $82 million. This deal, which was finalized in December 2023 before his major league debut, included a $2 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $10.25 million. They could look at a deal that is similar to what the Cleveland Guardians and starting pitcher Tanner Bibee agreed to earlier this year - a five year, $48 million pact. If you're the Brewers, what is your final and best offer for the young ace? If you're Misiorowski, are you signing an extension now? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

It remains unclear how aggressive the Milwaukee Brewers will be at the trade deadline, but Jim Bowden of The Athletic speculates they could be as a landing spot if the Boston Red Sox cannot extend him ahead of the trade deadline. Bowden goes on to suggest the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers as additional suitors for the superstar third basemen, if he is dealt. Through 51 games, he boasts an impressive .938 OPS, fueled by a .385 on-base percentage and a .553 slugging percentage. He has hit 11 home runs and driven in 35 runs, while also scoring 32 runs. He signed a 3-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in February 2025 with opt outs at the end of each season. Do you think the Brewers should pay up to add Bregman or address other needs? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

With the July 31 MLB trade deadline looming on the horizon, urgency will begin to mount for many Major League Baseball teams. While some clubs are firmly entrenched in playoff contention and will be looking to bolster their rosters, there is a distinct group already facing the reality of a lost season. So, who are the likely sellers from the National League? What valuable assets might they put on the market, and how could the Milwaukee Brewers leverage these opportunities to their advantage? Let's delve into the teams poised to grind the rumor mill to life, and the potential impact on the Brewers’ playoff aspirations. Colorado Rockies The Rockies are on pace for all sorts of records, and not in a good way. They are currently on pace to win 31 games, which is 10 fewer than the 2024 Chicago White Sox. The Rockies don't have much in the form of rentals, with starters Germán Márquez (6.62 ERA) and Austin Gomber (just returned from a shoulder injury) the only expiring deals, but that's not to say they don't have trade chips. Most notably, many teams will be calling about starter Kyle Freeland (controlled through 2026) and third baseman Ryan McMahon (controlled through 2027). Freeland’s surface numbers are heavily inflated by pitching in Coors. On the road, the lefty has a 3.64 ERA (3.31 FIP) and a 14.6-point difference between his strikeout and walk rates, a strong figure. As for McMahon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have already shown interest in the 30-year-old. Like Freeland, McMahon’s surface stats are also impacted by Coors: a .739 OPS overall drops by nearly 200 points on the road. Other, less notable names who could be available are infielders Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer, who both have mutual options for 2026. Miami Marlins The Marlins are 15 games under .500 and well outside the playoff picture. However, they are the youngest team in Major League Baseball, which makes it a challenge to know how much they're willing to sell. Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Agustín Ramírez have all been great, but they're also in their pre-arbitration years. Would the rebuilding Marlins really sell what looks to be a solid core of hitters? I doubt it. On the other hand, starting pitchers Cal Quantrill (a free agent at season's end) and Sandy Alcántara (controllable through 2026) could be attractive buy-low options at the deadline. Quantrill has an ERA 1.27 runs higher than his FIP, and Alcántara, a former Cy Young Award winner, has underperformed his ERA by 2.43 runs. However, both have below-average strikeout minus walk rates, suggesting their upside might be limited. The Marlins have gotten some good production out of their bullpen, from guys like Ronny Henriquez, Janson Junk, and Patrick Monteverde. While these guys are controllable, it would make sense for the Marlins to listen to offers on any relievers. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates are in a race for second-worst team in the NL with the Marlins. There's been (mostly sarcastic) speculation that they may trade starter Paul Skenes, but I don't think they will—for now. Instead, they have a few assets who will likely have a market over the next month and a half. There have already been rumors floating around on infielder Isiah Kiner-Faleda, who has a solid (but empty) .714 OPS. Other solid players on expiring deals include outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham, as well as starter Andrew Heaney, and reliever Ryan Burocki. Aside from Burocki, whose peripherals suggest some positive regression, all players have been more than serviceable this season. However, the most valuable realistic trade chip is current closer David Bednar, who is controlled through the 2026 season. In 20 appearances, the righty has a 3.42 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 29.2-point strikeout minus walk rate. He may end up being the most sought-after reliever on the market. Brewers’ Needs The promotion of top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski has resulted in some curious roster churning for the Brewers. The promotion shifted Aaron Civale to the bullpen, prompting his trade request, leading to Civale's move to the Chicago White Sox for Triple-A first baseman Andrew Vaughn. Subsequently, Jake Bauers has been made available. This sequence of events, however, hasn't directly addressed their most pressing needs. Offensively, the Brewers' performance ranges from average to below-average, primarily due to significant weaknesses on the left side of the infield. Both shortstop and third base collectively rank last in the league in OPS. Compounding this, their third basemen (chiefly Caleb Durbin, Vinny Capra, and Oliver Dunn) are defensive liabilities, though Joey Ortiz offers a plus glove at shortstop. Some of the Rockies' utility infielders may be good fits for the Brewers. While the Brewers' pitching staff has been average overall, Misiorowski's addition is a definite boost to the rotation, and they anticipate further production from returning injured starters. Nevertheless, bolstering the bullpen would be a good idea, and their influx of young infielders could help them land a reliever. Given their reliance on young talent, it wouldn't be surprising if the Brewers mostly stood pat at the trade deadline. However, acquiring one or two low- to medium-leverage relievers seems like a plausible, low-cost move. What moves do you believe the Brewers should prioritize to strengthen their roster? Or is standing pat the best strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments! View full article

While we are still about a month and a half away from the trade deadline, it's starting to get late early for some teams across Major League Baseball. With the trade deadline set for July 31, we are roughly a month away from the hot stove reaching its inferno. However, there are a handful of teams that we can pretty confidently say are going to be sellers around the deadline. Who are they, what do they have to offer, and how could the Milwaukee Brewers benefit? Let's dive in. Chicago White Sox The White Sox are 12 games below .500 and 13 games out of the playoff spot. They acknowledged a multi-year rebuild over the off-season, so it shouldn't be surprising that they are sellers once again. Potential rentals include outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Austin Slater as well as recently acquired starter Aaron Civale (the Brewers have the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever). Otherwise, intriguing players who are controlled beyond 2025 include infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Mike Tauchman. However, it’s more realistic that teams aggressively kick the tires on outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has been the subject of trade speculation for a while now. Robert Jr. signed a pre-arbitration extension that included $20 million team options for 2026 and 2027 that can be bought out for $2 million. Once a top prospect in baseball, the 28-year-old has had a hard time staying healthy throughout his career and has struggled at the plate over the last two seasons. Athletics The Athletics are in a free fall ever since they started their season 22-20. In their last 28 games they have just four wins. While they are a young team with some exciting talent, they're obviously not ready yet and have a handful of rentals that teams could kick the tires on. Most notably are utility players Miguel Andujar and Luis Urias who have both produced above average at the plate this season. Third baseman Gio Urshela is more than two years removed from his last productive season and has a mediocre glove at the hot corner, but could be an intriguing option to handle the short side of a platoon. On the mound, Jose Leclerc and T.J. McFarland are two potential reliever rentals, though Leclerc has been sidelined with a lat strain since April and McFarland has been plain bad. It seems likely that at least one of Andujar, Urias, or Urshela are traded ahead of the deadline. Baltimore Orioles Injuries aside, it's still pretty shocking to see the Orioles struggling this much. After winning 91 games and earning a playoff berth in 2024, they are currently 13 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of a playoff spot. The difference here is that the Orioles are not in the midst of a rebuild, so it's likely they limit their moves to players on expiring deals. Those names include: pitchers Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Gregory Soto as well as outfielder Cedric Mullins. Of those players, Eflin, Sugano, and Soto are having successful seasons on the mound and will draw significant trade interest. However, two names that have been the subject of trade rumors but are controllable beyond 2025 are first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Mountcastle, who will miss the next 8-12 weeks with a hamstring strain, is having a down year with a .628 OPS and two home runs. Kjerstad, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, has also struggled this season but has often found himself as the odd man out of a stacked group of young talent. Brewers' Needs Right now, the Brewers have the hot stove on medium with their recent moves. Promoting top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski resulted in Aaron Civale being forced to the bullpen, which led to the 30 year old to request a trade. Roughly 24 hours later he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for first baseman/outfielder (1B/OF) Andrew Vaughn, then made 1B/OF Jake Bauers available for trade. A bizarre chain reaction that didn't address any of their needs. Offensively, the Brewers are average to below-average depending on which stats you consider, but that’s largely in part to two black holes on the left side of the infield. At both shortstop and third base, the Brewers collectively have the lowest OPS in the league. Moreover, their group of third basemen (mostly Caleb Durbin, Vinny Capra, and Oliver Dunn) aren't great with their gloves, whereas Joey Ortiz can at least provide a plus glove at short. They could definitely benefit from one of the three infielders the Athletics have available. The Brewers pitching staff has been mediocre as a whole, though the recent addition of Misiorowski will undoubtedly give their rotation a bump. Additionally, they may get production from starters returning from injury. However, it would make a lot of sense for the Brewers to bolster their bullpen. The Brewers are relying on a lot of young talent, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them mostly stand pat at the trade deadline. I wouldn't write-off them acquiring a low- to- medium leverage reliever or two. What move(s) do you think the Brewers should make to improve their roster? Or do you think they should stick with what they have? Join the conversation in the comments! View full article

Freddy Peralta, who's on pace for the best season of his career, is reportedly interested in signing an extension with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Peralta has a team option for 2026 that would pay him $8 million - basically a no brainer for the Brewers. Peralta has been phenomenal for the Brewers in his 14 starters this season. The 29 year old has a 2.69 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 14.8% strikeout minus walk rate. The one gripe you could make is his elevated walk rate, otherwise the right hander has been lights out with elite fastball and offspeed offerings. If you were in charge, how many years and how much money would you give Peralta, if any? View full rumor

The Milwaukee Brewers have been keeping the hot stove warm in the last two days. They traded Aaron Civale, who requested a trade after being forced to the bullpen, to the Chicago White Sox for 1B/OF Andrew Vaughn. Vaughn was previously with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate. That move has prompted the team to put 1B/OF Jake Bauers on the trade blocking, according to Francys Romero. Vaughn and Bauers are redundant on the Brewers' 40-man roster as they profile similarly, and Rhys Hoskins is the team's primary first baseman. The team must view Vaughn better than they do Bauers, given how the last few hours have unfolded. Bauers has had a good start to the season with a .762 OPS and five home runs, but is significantly cheaper than Vaughn. It's a pretty surprising move as Vaughn has been underwhelming in his big-league career. What do you think of the moves today? View full rumor

Baseball America has updated their Top 100 prospect list at the start of June and it's unsurprising that the Milwaukee Brewers systems leads the charge with four prospects in the top 33. While they don't have the most prospects in the top 100, they aren't far off from Los Angeles Dodgers who have five. Jesús Made(#4), Jacob Misiorowski (#21), Luis Peña (#31), and Cooper Pratt (#33) are the four names to crack the list. Made has arguably been the hottest name in the prospect word as he's torn apart Single-A Carolina with an .837 OPS, four home runs, and 21 stolen bases. Misiorowski has a sparkling 2.31 ERA and a so-so 19.2% K-BB rate for Triple-A Nashville. Peña, at the same level as Made, is another prospect who's been a popular topic of conversation this season. He has a .964 OPS with five home runs and 23 stolen bases. Finally, Pratt hasn't had quite the same level of success for Double-A Biloxi with just a .650 OPS. He does have four home runs and 10 stolen bases on the season. When will the Brewers call up Misiorowski? Was anyone snubbed from the top 100 list? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Sal got JACKED over the offseason. How will it impact his performance on the field?

While rumors of Kelley Jansen being in the market have been swirling since the offseason, it may have been assumed he was off the market considering the Red Sox unexpected success in 2024. Instead, Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote that rival executives believe "...there could be 'buyer-to-buyer' type trade this year..." While the price tag is hefty in both salary and player capital, the former elite reliever has done exceptional this year sporting a 2.30/2.13 ERA/FIP with a 19.1-percent K-BB and locking down 15/16 save opportunities. He would be an expensive but great addition for any team who needs bullpen help. While relievers are volatile creatures, it's an added bonus that an acquiring team would only be tied to him for this season. Cover photo credit: © Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports View full rumor