Astros could target Milwaukee Brewers’ ace at trade deadline

Justin Backer

Astros could target Milwaukee Brewers’ ace at trade deadline  image

The Houston Astros could be in the market for some starting pitching help ahead of next month’s trade deadline, with a former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star entering the fold.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel identified Houston as a “best fit” for 29-year-old right-hander Freddy Peralta. Passan and McDaniel predict that there is roughly a 20 percent chance that Peralta could be on the move. 

“Peralta has been a steady presence for years, averaging 140 innings pitched with a 3.49 ERA over the past four seasons,” Passan and McDaniel said. “He's on track to do that again, with his heavily used fastball coming in at a career-high average velo of 94.9 mph this season. He has an ultra-cheap $8 million option for 2026. Best fits: Boston (Red Sox), Houston, Toronto (Blue Jays), St. Louis (Cardinals), Arizona (Diamondbacks), San Diego (Padres), Baltimore (Orioles).”

Peralta is having himself a superb season for the Brewers, pitching to a 8-4 record with a 2.90 ERA in 17 starts. The 2021 All-Star has spent his entire eight-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers and has accumulated a 61-40 record with a 3.70 ERA for his career.

Should the Astros acquire him, he would join Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez atop one of baseball’s most potent starting rotations. 

The Astros at 48-33 currently boast the second-best record in the American League, and hold 6 game lead in the AL West over the second-place Seattle Mariners. 

Justin Backer

Justin Backer is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Justin began his sports writing career in 2023 and has previously written for Empire Sports Media and currently covers FAU Athletics for The Palm Beach Post.