Right-handed starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is slated to be a free agent this offseason. After eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Peralta was traded to the New York Mets last offseason. Peralta struggled with New York, posting a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts, and the Mets traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline. He finished the regular season strong, recording a 3.25 ERA over 10 starts with the Rays.
The Twins reportedly had interest in Peralta before the Brewers traded him to the Mets last offseason. Minnesota should at least reach out to Peralta and his agent this offseason.
Unless the Twins suffer several injuries or trade a key starter or two, the team's rotation looks strong on paper heading into 2027. As of now, the rotation will likely include Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Mick Abel and Dean Kremer. Bailey Ober is also under contract through next season.
As we learned this year, starting pitching depth is extremely important. It looked like a strength for the Twins entering spring training, but major injuries to López and Abel, and later Ryan, highlighted the importance of pitching depth. Therefore, the Twins would be wise to add another top starting pitcher this offseason. Peralta could be a target.
Should the Twins stay away from Freddy Peralta after rough World Series outing?
A recent development involving Peralta may make the Twins hesitant to pursue the veteran right-hander. Peralta, 30, had a strong start to the postseason, allowing just two earned runs in 16 2/3 innings across his first four outings (three starts) before a rough start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the World Series, in which he surrendered five earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Obviously, the Twins shouldn't let one bad start determine whether they pursue Peralta this winter. Still, the rough outing should at least make them think twice about signing him. While Peralta has had strong results this postseason (2.95 ERA), he has a poor 17.6% strikeout rate and 11.0% walk rate. Additionally, Peralta struck out only 43 batters in 55 1/3 innings for Tampa Bay in the regular season.
Peralta has been a strikeout pitcher for most of his career, collecting 200+ strikeouts in each season from 2023-25. But this year, he struck out only 156 batters in 169 innings between the Brewers and Mets. Additionally, he had a poor 8.6% walk rate this year.
Again, I still think the Twins should target Peralta this offseason. Strikeouts aren't everything. I'm just saying Minnesota should think carefully before trying to sign him. Jim Bowden of The Athletic projects Peralta will receive a five-year, $140 million contract this offseason. Minnesota shouldn't consider giving him a contract on that level. But if his market is much lower than Bowden anticipates, as many expect, the Twins should try to bring the veteran to Minnesota. Since making his MLB debut in 2018, Peralta has posted a 3.71 ERA with a 28.6% strikeout rate.
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