Brewers Stay Cautious as Trade Talks Swirl Around Tigers’ Ace

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Pat Murphy walks to the mound in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2025.

Trade chatter always spikes as teams start plotting for the next season, and this fall is no exception. One of the hottest names in that conversation? Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ left-handed ace who’s quickly become one of the most coveted pitchers in baseball. With only limited team control left and his value sky-high, speculation has swirled around which contenders might make a play for him.

The Milwaukee Brewers, surprisingly, could be among the potential suitors. Skubal fits the exact profile of the kind of top-tier arm that could elevate an already-competitive roster into something greater. But when Brewers skipper Pat Murphy was asked about the idea, he didn’t bite. Speaking candidly on a podcast appearance, Murphy acknowledged the appeal–before quickly pumping the brakes.

“The Skubal thing, believe me, there’s a lot of teams in baseball that would give up a lot right now for that,” Murphy said. “But when you think of our organization, giving up prospects for one year of control of somebody is probably not what we do best.

“It probably doesn’t make sense, does it?”

Prospect Preservation Over Splashy Acquisitions

The Brewers have built a reputation as a small-market organization, one that tries to stay competitive not by outspending but by smart roster construction, internal development, and opportunistic trades. Their caution when it comes to parting with significant prospect capital has become part of their identity.

Over recent years, the club has made several high-profile moves that underscore this philosophy. For instance, ahead of the 2024-25 offseason the Brewers parted ways with ace Corbin Burnes, and closer Devin Williams followed soon after. In each case, Milwaukee accepted that trading top performers near the end of their affordable control window could yield long-term value rather than forcing short-term gambles.

This approach has allowed them to keep their farm system stocked and maintain flexibility for future seasons. Instead of overcommitting for one year of impact, the Brewers appear to prefer moves that either extend control, add multiple years of value, or bring in top-tier prospects in return. As Murphy’s Skubal comments hint, they are not a “win now at all cost” franchise. They play the long game.

The Peralta Dilemma

Freddy Peralta. The Brewers’ ace who, after another impressive season, finds himself at the center of trade speculation. With one year of club control remaining (an $8 million option for 2026) and free agency looming, the Brewers face a familiar but critical decision: hold onto their frontline arm or capitalize while value is high.

Peralta delivered a stellar 2025 campaign–a 2.70 ERA, 204 strikeouts, and arguably top-tier value relative to his salary. From a purely performance standpoint, he represents an elite piece.

“What I can say is I’ve been here forever and I love this. I love the city of Milwaukee, the team, everyone here,” Peralta said. “And that’s coming from the bottom of my heart. At the end of the day I understand this is a business and I understand that anything can happen.

“But I’m really happy about my journey here and how special it’s been for me and my family, and the treatment and love I’ve been getting from everyone here.”

According to industry estimates, Peralta’s surplus value could be around $22 million given his performance and cost structure–meaning the Brewers would want a return commensurate with that value, likely a haul of high ceiling prospects and/or MLB-ready talent.

What makes this especially interesting is how it mirrors the organization’s broader strategy. If the price is right, the Brewers aren’t shy about moving players on the cusp of free agency (see Burnes, Williams). So Peralta isn’t just a discussion about who stays; it’s a litmus test of Milwaukee’s competitive vision for the near future.

Positioning and Strategic Needs for the Brewers

To understand any trade scenario, it helps to know the team’s areas of need. For the Brewers in 2025-26:

• Pitching depth remains a priority. Having controllable arms and depth reduces risk.

• Cost-effective offensive upgrades are increasingly necessary–the pitching side often carries Milwaukee, but consistency in the lineup can make a difference in the playoffs.

• Maintaining a robust prospect pipeline is vital given Milwaukee’s budget‐constraints and small-market status. Losing high-value talent without replenishment could derail future competitiveness.

Milwaukee’s front office has plenty on its plate this winter–a lineup of free agents, option decisions, and arbitration cases that will define how flexible the roster looks heading into 2026. According to MLB.com, here is a list of players who could potentially leave the team in the (very) near future:

Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski