Roundtable Talk: Potential Texas Rangers Trades at the Winter Meetings

Travis Koch

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the market for a second baseman. They acquired both Mike Moustakas and Jonathan Schoop to strengthen the position last summer, however, Moustakas is now a free agent and Schoop was non-tendered.

Profar seems like a perfect fit for the Brewers. He’d receive every day playing time at 2B. Given his stellar glove and somewhat shaky arm, that is his ideal position. If needed, Profar could step in at shortstop if Orlando Arcia struggles once again and he could play third base if Milwaukee wants to sit Travis Shaw vs. left-handed pitchers. As a switch hitter, Profar would add a left-handed hitting component to a primarily right-handed lineup. I could very much see him hitting second in the lineup between Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich.

In return, the Texas Rangers get a right-handed starting pitcher, Freddy Peralta. He’s 22 years old, arbitration eligible through 2022 and he doesn’t become a free agent until 2025. Peralta is a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, changeup, curveball) with great command of the zone. Last season he posted a 1.136 WHIP, 3.72 FIP and allowed less than one home run per nine innings.

The Rangers would acquire an advanced young arm that already has major league experience. The Brewers would acquire another player with a high baseball IQ and someone who can drive runners in and reach base often in order to be driven in. Each player fits the current direction of each team.

Milwaukee could still make a play on a free agent starting pitcher. Otherwise, they have Jimmy Nelson, Chase Anderson, Jhoulys Chacin, and Zach Davies as returning starters. Plus, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff as emerging starters. Peralta is therefore expendable.