Simmering Freddy Peralta rumor (and trade package) could put Yankees in driver's seat

As the Cody Bellinger conversations move temporarily to the backburner, it seems that Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers might be the New York Yankees media corp's new hyperfixation. If they're theorizing about possible trades, or imploring the Yankees to make a push, the opinion columns aren't coming out of nowhere. Clearly, they're overhearing conversations.

As dynamic as Peralta is — 17-6 record, 2.70 ERA, 204 strikeouts, 3.64 FIP last season — he is a rental starter, and might not command the level of escalating packages that have recently been doled out to controllable question marks like Edward Cabrera or Shane Baz. Competition will be fierce at the trade deadline when teams know exactly how much rotation support they need (and the Brewers know that, too).

If a Peralta trade goes down now, you can't convince me it won't look downright affordable compared to a potential midseason nightmare or an overloaded deal for a controllable starter. Corbin Burnes went two winters ago in exchange for defense-first top-100 prospect Joey Ortiz and lefty swingman DL Hall. Devin Williams went (to the Yankees!) last offseason for rental starter Nestor Cortes Jr. and eventual third-place Rookie of the Year finisher Caleb Durbin. Given Milwaukee's rumored desire for a controllable starter, you can't convince me the Yankees can't make this work.

And, wouldn't you know it, but Matthew Trueblood (no longer on Twitter) reported on Monday that sources indicated to him that momentum was increasing in a Peralta trade. The same source pegged the Yankees as the leaders in the clubhouse, with Luis Gil being the controllable arm most likely to depart.

If true ... if even for one year ... with love ... yes. Drive Gil directly to the midwest. Do not pass "Go". Do not collect $200.

Yankees reportedly in lead for Freddy Peralta trade with Brewers

Of course ... if we take this report 100% at face value, that still means that the Yankees' "lead" in the chase is only valid until someone else reads this report, realizes what New York is offering, and outbids them.

If we take Gil seriously as the potential centerpiece, including another top prospect with helium like Dillon Lewis — wait, didn't we just trade him to the Marlins? — feels like it would complete the package. If the Yankees have to upgrade from Gil, surrendering Will Warren instead could fulfill the request. If Lewis isn't of interest, Gil and 103 MPH-throwing Carlos Lagrange also feels viable.

Either way, the ask should be no more than two pieces — one big-league arm, and one top-10 prospect. Whether the Yankees are "leading" or not, and whether the process is earnestly reaching a conclusion or not, the pairing makes perfect sense.