Milwaukee Brewers lock in important piece of bullpen buzzsaw
By David Hill
The Milwaukee Brewers have locked in an important part of their dominant bullpen, signing Freddy Peralta to a five year extension.
Over the past few days, there had been plenty of rumors circulating about an important member of the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen. According to reports, the Brewers were closing in on an extension with Freddy Peralta, locking in an important piece of their bullpen buzzsaw.
On Friday, that extension came to fruition. The Brewers and Peralta agreed to a five year extension worth $15.5 million, with options for 2025 and 2026.
RHP Freddy Peralta has officially signed a 5-year contract through 2024 with club options for 2025 and 2026. pic.twitter.com/KXzpGHqoJL
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) February 28, 2020
This contract nearly matches the extension signed by White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer last week. However, while Bummer signed his extension following a strong season in the Chicago bullpen, Peralta’s overall numbers were not nearly as impressive. For the 2019 campaign, he posted a 5.29 ERA and a 1.459 WHiP, striking out 115 batters with 37 walks in 85 innings.
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But those numbers do not tell the complete story. Peralta was lit up over his eight starts before finding himself in the bullpen. In his 49.1 relief innings, he posted a 4.05 ERA and a 1.338 WHiP, striking out 69 batters with 26 walks.
Those numbers have given the Brewers hope that Peralta can become more. At this point, he is likely to be the seventh or eighth inning arm, a key piece in the bridge to get to Josh Hader. As the Brewers seek to remain competitive in the improving NL Central, they will need the bullpen to continue to be the buzzsaw it had been for the past few years.
In order for that to happen, the Brewers will need Peralta to take the next step. His days as a starter are likely over, but there is no questioning the talent possessed by the formerly highly regarded prospect. Should Peralta take that leap, the Brewers will have locked in another weapon in the bullpen at a considerable discount.
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The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping that Freddy Peralta can take that leap. If so, their extension will ensure that another piece of their bullpen buzzsaw remains in place.