A new rumor seemingly opens the door to the Pittsburgh Pirates potentially acquiring an All-Star ace to team up with Paul Skenes in 2026.
Following a 71-91 finish to the 2025 there was a lot of speculation entering the offseason that Skenes’ time in Pittsburgh could soon be ending. The organization wants the young superstar to be the face of their franchise for the next 15 years, but there were no signs that the club was a team on the rise. With the 23-year-old under team control for three more years, a potential trade could land the Pirates a king’s ransom.
However, early in the offseason, Pirates management shut down the idea of moving their top star, and instead, have been one of the most aggressive teams this fall and winter as they have made several notable moves to improve the roster.
They signed All-Star first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and traded for two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe. They also inked veteran reliever Gregory Soto to a contract and acquired high-potential Boston Red Sox outfielder Jhostynxon García. The moves proved they are serious about building a better roster around Skenes.
Well, they may not be done yet. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, “The Freddy Peralta talks are about to resume in earnest.” Furthermore, the MLB insiders also claim, “Some low-revenue clubs that can absorb Peralta’s $8 million salary are in play as well.”
Could the PIT Pirates Target a Freddy Peralta Trade?
Is it a lock that the Pirates are among those “low -revenue clubs” that will soon pursue a Freddy Peralta trade? Of course not. However, it can’t be ruled out one bit because of how aggressive the front office has been to improve their roster this offseason.
What makes a trade realistic for Pittsburgh is the bargain $8 million contract Peralta has in 2025. It is a number the organization would certainly be willing to add to its payroll for a 29-year-old All-Star who was the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers. Then there is the fact that the team has a top 10 minor league system in MLB. So they have the prospect assets to make a deal.
- Freddy Peralta stats: 17-6 record, 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, 204 SO, 66 BB
The biggest hindrances in a potential deal is first, would the Brewers trade their best pitcher to a division rival? The Athletic insiders also add that Milwaukee would want a “major-league-ready starting pitcher” in the deal. Does Pittsburgh have one that would interest the Brewers? And lastly, Peralta is likely one-and-done after a trade since he will get a massive free agent raise next offseason that the Pirates won’t be able to match.
Either way, the idea of Peralta and Skenes in the same rotation is exhilarating and would give the club a serious chance to get back to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade this year.
