SF Giants can pivot to All-Star ace trade piece after missing out on Sonny Gray

The SF Giants need to make some big additions to their starting rotation this offseason and they have already missed out on a potential trade target in Sonny Gray. Perhaps they can turn their sights towards another trade target.

Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta's name has been in trade rumors this offseason. The Brewers seem open to trading him and it would not be a huge surprise given they have a track record of dealing their star pitchers before they have to pay them like in the case of Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams.

SF Giants can turn sights to Freddy Peralta after missing out on Sonny Gray

Peralta is coming off a tremendous All-Star campaign in 2025. He had a 17-6 record in 33 starts with a 2.70 ERA in 176 and 2/3 innings pitched with 204 strikeouts compared to 66 walks.

He has made 30 starts or more and has 200 strikeouts or more in each of the last three seasons, so if the Giants were to pair Peralta with Logan Webb atop the rotation the team would have two very reliable starters they can lean upon.

Peralta would be a much better addition for the Giants than Gray for a number of reasons, one of which being the huge financial cost that would have come with acquiring Gray compared to the paltry $8 million that Peralta is set to make in 2026.

If the Giants were to land Peralta and he had a solid season, maybe they could sign him to a long-term deal which would be a huge addition to the rotation.

However, we are getting ahead of ourselves. What would it take for the Giants to land Peralta? Jim Bowden of The Athletic looked at potential trade packages teams could put together to land Peralta and he predicted that the Giants could send a package of pitcher Landen Roupp and shortstop prospect Jhonny Level in exchange for Peralta.

He argues that the Brewers would be getting a rotation-ready arm in Roupp who did look very solid in 2025 before injuries limited him down the stretch as well as a high-upside prospect who could help the Brewers out a few years down the road.

Of course, if the Giants did make that trade they would still have two holes in their rotation. But, it could make sense since the Giants could potentially be getting an ace to pair with Webb for quite a while if they are able to re-sign him after 2026.

There is also the risk that Peralta could just end up being a one-year rental if he signs elsewhere, but that may be a risk the Giants are willing to take with the potential reward being so high.