The Boston Red Sox have quietly built one of the most formidable rotations in Major League Baseball, anchored by their top three starters: Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito. Together, that trio gives the Sox a chance to compete with any team in the league, but if the franchise truly wants to cement itself as a postseason powerhouse, adding another frontline arm is a must. Depth wins in October, and right now, Boston is still one piece short of having a fully dominant rotation.
Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan has long been at the top of the Red Sox’ wish list. The front office pushed hard to acquire him at the trade deadline, and while the deal ultimately didn’t materialize, the interest hasn’t cooled. Ryan remains a logical target, but the challenge is whether Boston can actually get Minnesota to part with him. That uncertainty is why other names are already being floated as potential alternatives.
One such name is Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta. According to Fansided’s Robert Murray, the 28-year-old could very well find himself on the trade block this offseason, and Boston is positioned as one of the teams that could make a serious run at him. Murray points to the Brewers’ organizational history of moving on from big-name arms before they command massive paydays. Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams were all dealt before hitting free agency. The Brewers operate on a tighter budget than most contenders, and Peralta, whose current contract runs through 2026, fits the same mold. By then, he’ll be in his final year of club control and eyeing a lucrative deal that Milwaukee may not be willing to hand out.
If Peralta does become available, he would instantly be one of the most attractive pitchers on the market. He has been sensational this season, posting a 16-6 record with a sparkling 2.69 ERA, 185 strikeouts, and a 1.088 WHIP across 163 innings. Those numbers put him among the league’s elite, and his ability to dominate lineups with both swing-and-miss stuff and consistency on the mound makes him the type of arm that could push the Red Sox rotation from “great” to “unmatched.”
Boston is one of the few organizations in baseball with both the payroll flexibility and prospect depth to make a deal of this magnitude happen. They have the resources to offer Peralta a long-term extension if acquired, and their farm system has enough talent to appeal to a Brewers team that is always looking to restock while staying competitive. The complication, of course, is that Milwaukee may view Peralta differently from other stars they’ve traded. Unlike Hader or Burnes, the Brewers might decide that Peralta is worth paying, especially given his age and value as a rotation anchor.
That’s why the Red Sox front office faces an intriguing situation this winter. If Joe Ryan proves unattainable, and if Milwaukee is indeed willing to discuss Peralta, Boston could find itself in a position where Peralta isn’t just a backup option—he might actually be the better fit. His dominance, his track record, and his potential long-term impact would give the Red Sox one of the most complete and intimidating rotations in all of baseball.
For a team with championship aspirations, adding that final piece to the puzzle could be the move that takes them over the top.
