The Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers could close on blockbuster trade

Toronto's bullpen picture is close to settled, which narrows the roster focus to starting pitching. The rotation is mostly set, with the only true opening sitting at the back end.

That fifth-starter decision is where Berrios and Ponce collide, because both can cover meaningful innings. The choice is not about filling a hole, it is about optimizing matchups and workload.

Even with that clarity, pitching depth stays valuable across a long season. One elite starter can reduce strain on the bullpen and shorten a postseason series in a way few other additions can.

A team that expects to contend usually tries to turn «good enough» pitching into a constant advantage. That is why an ace-caliber arm like Peralta carries real appeal, even when the rotation already looks strong.

Peralta, a 29-year-old right-hander, just delivered a standout season with Milwaukee. He posted a 2.70 ERA and a 3.64 FIP in 176.2 innings, with a 28.2% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk rate.

Those strikeout and walk numbers tell the story of his profile, power stuff with enough control to stay ahead in counts. When hitters are forced to chase, the ball tends to stay out of the loudest contact zones.

The performance also fits his track record since becoming a full-time starter in 2021. That year he logged a 2.81 ERA and 3.12 FIP across 144.1 innings, setting a baseline of top-end run prevention.

The other driver is contract value, because Peralta is set to earn $8 million in 2026 before reaching free agency. That kind of salary-to-performance gap is exactly what inflates trade cost, even for a pitcher nearing the market.

If the Blue Jays slotted Peralta atop a theoretical group featuring Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage, the rotation would look overwhelming on paper. It would also force hard decisions on where Berrios and Ponce fit.

One path is moving a starter in a separate deal, another is using one as a swing option to protect against injuries and fatigue. Either way, adding Peralta would reshape the staff's hierarchy and the club's margin for error.

The next milestone would be simple but decisive, weighing an astronomical acquisition price against the chance to field a rotation that can dominate both April and October.

Source: Blue Jays Nation