Brewers trade prediction with Mets is backup plan if they don't land Tarik Skubal

The Milwaukee Brewers could use an addition to their starting rotation before the postseason. 

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is the top name that could be moved at the trade deadline, and the Brewers could be one of several clubs involved in the sweepstakes. 

If Skubal ends up elsewhere, Milwaukee's front office will have to pivot to a backup plan, which we're assuming it has one. 

That could lead to a trade with the New York Mets for one of their impending free agents. The right-hander is very familiar with the NL Central organization. 

Brewers predicted to trade for Mets' Freddy Peralta

"Peralta hasn't had a good season with a 4.99 ERA and was nearly in tears after his start on Sunday, telling reporters that he 'let down' the organization and the fans," ESPN's David Schoenfield wrote Friday.

"If there's a team willing to take a chance on Peralta, however, it should be Milwaukee, where he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 2025," Schoenfield added. "The Brewers could trade for Peralta and also add a reliever while still keeping all their top prospects." 

The Brewers need another starter, and Peralta will be one of the better arms moved at the deadline, despite his struggles this season with the Mets. 

MORE: Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers

Depending on the health of left-hander Kyle Harrison (forearm tightness), having Peralta as the No. 2 postseason starter behind Jacob Misiorowski would be, at the very least, a better one-two duo than most clubs. 

Peralta's impending free agency and disappointing showing with the Mets should lower his price tag, so the Brewers won't be losing an arm and a leg in a potential deal. 

More MLB news:

• Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
• Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
• Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure