As the main trade candidates for the Brewers are now no longer on the team, who could be the next big name for them to trade?
When it comes to rumors around the Brewers, one consistent rumor is always about who they are going to trade next. It’s been a regular part of following the team. In the last couple years, they’ve traded away Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams. There was also plenty of speculation about trading Willy Adames, but the Brewers decided not to trade him and let him hit free agency.
Now that the previous big trade names are gone, it’s only a matter of time before someone else starts popping up in trade rumors. Let’s take a look at who could be the next big trade option. (Note that none of these players currently have any rumors of a trade around them, just that they could be a future trade candidate.)
Freddy Peralta
Following the 2024 season, Peralta reached his six years of MLB service time but is still under contract by the Brewers for up to two more years. The Brewers exercised an $8 million option for the 2025 season, and he has another $8 million option for 2026. He is due to be a free agent during the 2026-27 offseason.
While Peralta has not been the ace we’ve hoped for, he’s still been a solid staring pitcher. Over the past four seasons he has an fWAR of 11.3, with a peak of 4.0 in 2021. His value took a little hit last season as he only posted a 2.3 fWAR. His ERA decreased slightly (3.68) but his FIP also rose a tick (4.16). He’s still posting a strikeout rate over 10 per nine innings. One major concern is his home run rate, as he allowed 1.35 HR/9 last season and 1.41 the season before.
If he’s stable again in 2025, that likely won’t be enough to push him into the trade candidate range. At that level, he’s likely not going to get much more of a return. We have a decent point of reference with the acquisition of Nestor Cortes, who had a better fWAR and a similiar potential contract for 2025 (Cortes is projected to make $7.7 million). He would need to return to a level similar to 2021 to push him into the trade candidate range.
Joel Payamps
Relievers are generally in demand, but the Brewers have a set of relievers that are under control for a while. The reliever that is closest to free agency as of today is Joel Payamps. He’s entering his second arbitration season, projected to earn $2.8 million in 2025.
Payamps has been a solid part of the Brewers’ bullpen in the last couple seasons. He’s pitched in 69 and 68 games in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He helped serve as the team closer last season in the absence of Devin Williams, recording six saves. He had a good 3.05 ERA and a solid 3.73 FIP in 2024 as well. Though Trevor Megill is the top candidate for the closer role in 2025, Payamps will be in the conversation as a high-leverage reliever who should get some saves when needed.
It’s tough to see the Brewers holding on to a reliever and let them go into free agency. Holding on to Payamps through 2025 seems likely, but once his salary gets a bump in his final arbitration season, there will be more incentive to trade him and get something back.
William Contreras
Looking through the Brewers’ roster as of today, the player with the most value on the roster is William Contreras. Over the past two seasons, he’s recorded an 11.1 fWAR. He’s been in the MVP vote in both seasons, and he plays a position that’s highly desired. The only other Brewer who has an argument for top value is Jackson Chourio (and he’s not going anywhere else, anytime soon).
The problem with Contreras comes with his contract. He’s projected to make $7.6 million in 2024. That’s going to continue to climb, with it passing $10 million as soon as next season and increasing from there. It’s possible that he will eventually earn the highest arbitration salary for a catcher.
One major factor in Contreras’ tradability will be the development of Jeferson Quero. He’s the Brewers top prospect according to MLB.com, and comes in at No. 43 overall currently. Quero is approaching MLB ready, but there’s still plenty of questions around him. The plan for him was to spend 2024 in Triple-A Nashville, but a torn labrum suffered in the first game of the season ended his season. He’s expected to be ready for spring training, but we’ll still need to see him back in action.
While it will be tough for Quero to reach Contreras’ level, any solid performance can push Contreras into the trade conversation. Of course, the Brewers still have three more years of control before Contreras hits free agency. He’ll still be around through 2025 and likely 2026 as well.