Offseason Snapshot: Brewers Payroll, Red Sox Big Bats, Orioles Pitching

This article digs into three of the most intriguing storylines shaping MLB’s next offseason. There’s the Milwaukee Brewers’ looming decision on Freddy Peralta amid financial pressure, the Boston Red Sox’s hunt for serious power at the corners, and the Baltimore Orioles’ urgent search for a top-of-the-rotation arm.

Each situation says something about how front offices are rethinking roster construction in an era of tight budgets and aggressive trades. The free-agent market keeps shifting, too, so nothing feels quite settled.

Milwaukee Brewers: Will Financial Pressure Force a Freddy Peralta Trade?

The Brewers are walking a familiar tightrope. They’re trying to stay competitive while wrestling with payroll realities.

Milwaukee faces financial constraints heading into next season, so the future of Freddy Peralta is right up front. Peralta enters the final year of his deal and will earn $8 million—a bargain for a frontline starter, but still a big number on a tighter budget.

Speculation is swirling that Milwaukee could cash in an asset a year early. They’ve done it before with stars approaching free agency.

A Pattern of Trading Stars Before Free Agency

The Brewers have established a clear pattern under their current leadership. They’d rather move players while value is highest than risk losing frontline talent for just a compensatory draft pick.

That history makes people wonder if Peralta is next. The situation gets trickier because Brandon Woodruff accepted the qualifying offer.

With Woodruff back, Milwaukee suddenly has more rotation flexibility. Team leadership says their choices on Woodruff and Peralta are independent, but having Woodruff in place gives them options.

They could keep Peralta and push for contention. Or, they might move him now to reload the farm while still fielding a credible staff.

Boston Red Sox: Power Shopping at the Corners

In Boston, the conversation isn’t about cutting costs. It’s about adding thunder to a lineup that’s lacked consistent middle-of-the-order punch.

The Red Sox are actively pursuing more power, zeroing in on two prime corner-infield targets: Pete Alonso and Kazuma Okamoto. Both players fit what Boston needs—a run-producing bat that can anchor the heart of the order, especially at first or third base.

Pete Alonso and Kazuma Okamoto as Cornerstone Options

Few hitters have been as reliably powerful as Pete Alonso since he arrived in the big leagues. He’s a home run machine and has built a reputation as one of MLB’s premier slugging first basemen.

Alonso opted out of his Mets contract, so now he’s on the open market. That puts a premium power bat firmly within Boston’s reach.

On the international front, Kazuma Okamoto brings a different but equally exciting profile. Posted by the Yomiuri Giants in Japan’s NPB, Okamoto offers the kind of right-handed power that can change a lineup’s complexion.

He can handle a corner infield spot and drive the ball out of pretty much any ballpark. That’s exactly what a team hungry for extra-base damage wants.

If the Red Sox land Alonso or Okamoto, there could be some real ripple effects. One big implication: it would increase the likelihood of a trade involving Triston Casas.

While Casas has upside, adding an established or highly touted power bat at first or third would create positional overlap. Boston might leverage Casas as a trade chip to address pitching or other needs.

Baltimore Orioles: Chasing an Ace After Missing on Dylan Cease

The Orioles have shifted from rebuild to contention faster than almost anyone expected. Their next step really depends on one thing: stabilizing the rotation.

They missed out on Dylan Cease, who signed with Toronto. Now, Baltimore is turning its focus to the top shelf of the pitching market.

The Orioles are prioritizing top-tier free agent starters, with special interest in Framber Valdez and Tatsuya Imai. Both pitchers could become staff anchors for an organization desperate for reliable innings at the front of the rotation.

Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, and the Backup Plan

Valdez looks like your classic ace. He’s left-handed, durable, and he can work deep into games.

Imai comes over from Japan and brings some real upside. There’s intrigue around his stuff—if he adjusts well, he could become a high-impact MLB starter.

If those options don’t pan out, Baltimore has circled Michael King and Zac Gallen as backup plans. They’re not quite on the same level as the top names, but both could steady a rotation that’s gotten thinner after a few bold moves.

The urgency here makes sense. The Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in a gutsy swap for outfielder Taylor Ward.

That deal upgraded the lineup but left a hole near the top of the staff. Right now, Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish are supposed to lead the rotation.

Beyond Dean Kremer, though, things get murky fast.

Baltimore looks ready to make at least one significant pitching addition to shore up the rotation for 2026. With a young core already in place, maybe the right arm is what turns a short window into a real run at contention. Or maybe it just keeps things interesting—hard to say, but they’re going for it.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: