Brewers say Brandon Woodruff’s return doesn’t mean a Freddy Peralta trade is imminent: ‘Independent decisions’

The Mets need starting pitching, and there are options this offseason, whether it’s in the free agent or trade market.

However, the Brewers are making it known that ace Freddy Peralta being dealt isn’t inevitable.

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After Brandon Woodruffwas one of just four players to accept the $22 million qualifying offer to return to Milwaukee, many believed it was a precursor to the Brewers trading Peralta — who is on an expiring contract — to recoup assets. ESPN’s Jeff Passan cited executives with interestwho believed the chance for a Peralta trade would “drastically increase” if Woodruff took the qualifying offer.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and president of baseball operations Matt Arnold commented to The Athletic late Tuesday that one decision doesn’t impact the other.

“Independent decisions Matt and his group will make,†Attanasio told The Athletic. “Weâ€re certainly excited about our rotation now.â€

Peralta is set to make just $8 million in 2026, a very team-friendly deal that the Brewers could afford, but with the threat of losing their best pitcher to free agency at the end of the season, it could be the best chance to get the most back in a deal, especially after the year the 29-year-old just had. The 2025 season was arguably Peralta’s best as a pro. In 33 starts, he pitched to a 17-6 record and a 2.70 ERA. He made his second All-Star team and was fifth in Cy Young voting.

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Currently, the Mets’ starting rotation is in a state of uncertainty. Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga and Nolan McLean are expected to be a part of the mix while Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns looks to add and remake the rotation this offseason.

What pitcher or pitchers he can obtain is not yet known as Stearns navigates the ever-evolving offseason.

“There are teams that are still feeling out where they’re heading this offseason,” Stearns told SNY’s Andy Martino at the GM Meetings. “I have experience and recognize that positions at the GM Meetings may not always be the position a club takes at the Winter Meetings and may not be the position a club takes at the end of January. These things can evolve at the end of the offseason and be really challenging for me to predict at this point…what we try to do is stay involved in the conversations and make sure we’re informed as much as possible and that allows us to make the best decisions.”

Aside from Peralta, the Mets could try and pry other top-line starters like Tarik Skubal from their respective clubs. They have the young talent like Jonah Tongand Brandon Sproat that they can use as trade chips, but it’s not the only avenue Stearns has to add to the Mets rotation.

Other arms like Dylan Cease, Framber Valdezand Michael King are available via free agency.

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