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From his record-setting big league debut, in which he struck out 13 as a 21-year-old on Mother’s Day, it was clear that Freddy Peralta had the potential to be an impact starter.
While the road since then has been a bit of a roller coaster, it’s clear the Brewers are buying into that potential — and his new slider — by reportedly signing him to a long-term extension.
The negotiatons were first reported by Ken Rosenthal, with Jon Heyman chiming in with the details — at least 5 years and $15.5 million guaranteed, with two additional option years that may bring the total contract to 7 years and $30 million.
RHP Freddy Peralta finalizing long-term extension with #Brewers, source tells The Athletic. Terms expected to be similar to deal that LH reliever Aaron Bummer recently signed twith #WhiteSox - five years, $16M, with two club options that could increase total value to $30.75M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 26, 2020
Freddy Peralta: has 5 year deal plus two options, 15.5M guaranteed and 2 options that brings it to 30M potentially #brewers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 26, 2020
It may be #ExtensionSeason in baseball, but anyone who says they would’ve guessed this for Peralta is most likely lying.
As Kyle noted on Twitter, there’s still risk involved here, but there’s still a very good chance this works out in the Brewers’ favor.
Money isn't too significant at $15.5 mil guaranteed over 5 years, but there is still risk involved on Brewers' side. Freddy owns a career 4.79 ERA (89 ERA+) and -0.8 bWAR in 163.1 IP.
— Kyle Lesniewski (@Kyle_Lesniewski) February 26, 2020
But the FO clearly believes in him, and all he needs to be is a good RP to justify the cost.
Even if Peralta doesn’t become a frontline starter and his development stalls out, $15.5 million over 5 years is not a large amount to pay someone who’s shown flashes of at least being a very good reliever. If he does become a legitimately good starting pitcher, that deal — and the potential for it to become only $30 million over 7 years (when a growing number of starters are makign $30 million per year) — becomes a straight-up steal.
The team has yet to confirm the deal.