The San Francisco Giants haven’t done much this offseason, but they’ve still got some clear needs to address. Their starting rotation could use an upgrade if they want any shot at competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. There’s a move out there that could solve both problems at once.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman thinks the Giants should make a blockbuster trade for Milwaukee Brewers All-Star ace Freddy Peralta. What makes this particularly interesting? The Dodgers have been heavily targeting Peralta themselves. Stealing him away would be the kind of move that sends a message.
The Trade Package
Giants get: RHP Freddy Peralta
Brewers get: RHP Landen Roupp, SS Josuar Gonzalez (SF No. 2 Prospect), RHP Blade Tidwell (SF No. 13 Prospect)
It’s a hefty price in prospects, but the Giants wouldn’t be breaking the bank financially. That’s important for a team that’s been hesitant to spend big this winter despite having the resources.
“The San Francisco Giants aren’t a small-market team by any means, but they’ve been reluctant to spend big money this winter. Acquiring Peralta, a pitcher they’ve been linked to all winter, would not cost much financially, and could get San Francisco into the NL playoff picture,” Rotman wrote.
What Peralta Brings
The numbers speak for themselves. This past season, Peralta went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and struck out 204 batters over 176 innings. His WHIP of 1.075 shows the kind of command you want from a frontline starter.
He’d instantly become the Giants’ ace and give them a formidable trio alongside Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. That’s the kind of rotation depth that can make noise in October.
The catch? They’d only have him for one year before he hits free agency. Word is Peralta’s looking for something in the neighborhood of five years, $152 million. So the Giants better be prepared to extend him if they make this move.
Oracle Park Factor
Here’s where it gets interesting from a performance standpoint. Peralta’s been good in Milwaukee, but Oracle Park is notoriously pitcher-friendly. There’s a real chance he takes another step forward in San Francisco’s environment.
The way I see it, the Giants need to decide quickly. If they’re serious about competing in 2025, this is exactly the type of move that could vault them back into contention. But they can’t afford to wait around while the Dodgers circle the same target.
All things considered, it’s a calculated risk that could pay huge dividends – if they’re willing to commit long-term to Peralta once they get him.
