The Yankees could still make their big move this winter, and it might come through a trade with Milwaukee.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report that the Brewers are looking for a specific type of return if they deal ace Freddy Peralta – and the Yankees happen to have exactly what Milwaukee wants.
“If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to trade All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta, they ideally will want the return to include a young, major-league-ready replacement.”
That’s where Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez come in. Both right-handers sit atop the Yankees’ prospect rankings and represent the kind of MLB-ready pitching depth Milwaukee’s seeking.
Neither has debuted in the majors yet, but they’re close. Close enough that the Brewers would view either as a legitimate replacement piece in their rotation.
It’s not hard to see why Milwaukee would be reluctant to move Peralta. The two-time All-Star just turned in his best season, posting a 2.70 ERA with an MLB-best 17 wins in 2024.
But if Brian Cashman’s willing to part with one of his top pitching prospects, it could be enough to get Milwaukee’s attention.
The Yankees aren’t alone in this pursuit – other teams with young pitching depth are also in the mix for Peralta. What makes this interesting is the fit between what Milwaukee needs and what New York can offer.
After missing out on Edward Cabrera, the Yankees are still looking for that rotation upgrade. So far this offseason, they haven’t been big spenders or active traders.
That could change with Peralta. The Brewers have the ace-level starter the Yankees need, and New York has the young, controllable pitching Milwaukee’s seeking in return.
It’s the type of deal that makes sense for both sides – if Cashman’s ready to part with some of his best prospect capital.
