The Milwaukee Brewers have traded their ace pitcher for the second consecutive year, sending Freddy Peralta away in exchange for two top prospects.

The Milwaukee Brewers traded their ace starter Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets, acquiring two highly regarded prospects in return. The Brewers’ official site noted that this is the second consecutive offseason they have moved a premier pitcher to strengthen their future roster.

Last year, the Brewers finished with a 97-65 record, clinching their third consecutive National League Central division title and posting the best record in the majors. In the playoffs, although they were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in the Division Series, they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, extending their 56-year drought without a World Series championship.

Despite making the playoffs seven times in the past eight years, the Brewers chose to trade Peralta, who posted a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA last season. The team’s official analysis explained that this move aligns with the 2024 trades of Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and bullpen ace Devin Williams, aiming to exchange star players nearing free agency for prospects who possess immediate major league readiness and long-term control.

In this deal, the Brewers acquired the Mets’ third-ranked farm system outfielder Jett Williams and their fifth-ranked right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat, both viewed as capable of contributing at the major league level in the upcoming season. Similarly, when trading Burnes and Williams last year, the Brewers targeted future assets.

Peralta spent eight seasons with the Brewers, compiling a 70-42 record with a 3.59 ERA and earning the National League wins leader title last year. Over the past three seasons, he has consistently started at least 30 games and struck out over 200 batters each year, a feat matched only by Dylan Cease across the league. Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays shortly after last season ended.