Insider Links Red Sox To Brewers Ace Freddy Peralta
Unfortunately, we are not going to see the Boston Red Sox take the field for a game for a few months.
The club will report for Spring Training in February and we'll see Spring Training games begin shortly afterward. Then, the regular season will begin in March. Boston's first game of the 2026 regular season is scheduled for March 26th against the Cincinnati Reds.
It's going to be a long few months as the team attempts to determine a path forward to add even more talent to the organization. The vibes around the organization are higher than they have been for years, which makes the offseason feel even longer. It's an interesting time for the team and they have work to do, specifically in the starting rotation. There's already been a lot said about potential fits for the rotation, although it is a bit early with the World Series still underway.
That's what happens when you're a good team with the means to add pieces and become great, though. That's what adding a high-end starter arguably would do for this team. It's early, but there's buzz out there starting and one example was
"Peralta is expected to finish in the top three in the NL Cy Young Award voting this offseason," Bowden said. "The Brewers have an $8 million team option on him for next season that they will certainly pick up. However, after picking up that option, the Brewers are expected to do the exact same thing they did two years ago with their then-ace Corbin Burnes and trade him.
The Red Sox should call the Brewers this winter
"Peralta is coming off the best year of his career as he’s really figured out how to use and mix his dominant stuff. Fastball Freddy held opposing batters to a .209 average against his four-seamer, .173 against his changeup, .183 against his curveball and .157 against his slider. He’s a true top-of-the-rotation ace at age 29. There will be plenty of interest in him on the trade market, with the Red Sox, Orioles, Mets, Angels, Astros, Giants, Padres, and Tigers all likely to inquire on him."
Peralta is coming off a season that should get him Cy Young Award votes, although Paul Skenes is the heavy favorite to win the award in the National League. He had a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts to go along with a 17-6 record for Milwaukee.
He's the type of guy that Boston fans would love and would help the rotation without breaking the bank -- at least for 2026 -- as he has an $8 million club option
Peralta is a workhorse and hasn't had under 165 2/3 innings pitched in a season since 2022. Adding a dependable, legit star to pair with Garrett Crochet, like Peralta, should be Boston's next step forward.
Yankees Reliever Best Fit for Dodgers?
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams will be navigating free agency this offseason after a rocky first season with the Yankees, and he could be a powerful asset on a new team. While his performance in New York gave fans pause, Williams has a strong history of being deadly on the mound, and he could enjoy the rest of his redemption arc in a new uniform.
Williams lost the closer role after a few blown saves damaged his reputation for getting out of games unscathed, and he was moved to lower-leverage spots for a time; a spot where he thrived. In the meantime, the Yankees made an active effort to shore up the bullpen amid a summer of disappointing losses (many of them pitching casualties). Among their acquisitions was Pittsburgh Pirates reliever David Bednar, who became the Yankees' replacement closer, and is expected to stay on into 2026.
Williams to the Dodgers?
On his list of MLB free agents who could break out on new teams in 2026, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer pointed out that Williams has an elite track record, and perhaps after one season floundering on the Yankees, could thrive under different circumstances (as he has before). Rymer specifically pointed to current World Series contenders the Los Angeles Dodgers as an ideal landing place for Williams.
"Williams said this month that he's open to returning to the Yankees, though his preference is to sign with a team as a closer," Rymer wrote. "Given the presence of David Bednar, that could complicate a reunion."
"Instead, how about the superpower on the other coast? Unless the Dodgers are going to keep Roki Sasaki in their bullpen — which seems unlikely — they're going to need to fix what is still a shaky relief corps even now in the World Series."
Williams in Pinstripes and Beyond
Williams joined the Yankees in December of 2024, and was their Opening Day closer in 2025. With time, Williams regained his footing and gave an impressive September and October performance, even earning himself a standing ovation after a 1 1/3 inning outing in a winning game of the ALCS.
Williams, 31, made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he played for six seasons. Williams was NL Rookie of the Year and NL Reliever of the Year in 2020 with a stunning 0.33 ERA in 22 games.
Williams has shared that he is open to a reunion with the Yankees, but after this season, it does feel unlikely. Williams ended the regular season with a 4.79 ERA in 67 games, and alongside embattled shortstop Anthony Volpe (who is now known to have been suffering from a shoulder injury), Williams took his fair share of abuse from Yankee fans and commentators this season. It's just as good a reason as any to get far away from New York, even with the redemption arc in progress.
