Cubs quietly provide clear reason they won't reunite Craig Counsell with Freddy Peralta

In the past, GM Meetings have been used as a crutch to setup offseason activity in the weeks ahead. This year, with MLB headed toward a lockout after December 1, there's a sense that there could be movement of consequence this week at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas. At the very least, for teams like the Chicago Cubs, an awareness to act with more urgency.

If Day 1 is any indication, for the Cubs, it's been more about identifying what pitchers they won't pursue. The Cubs are expected to sit out of the bidding for Tarik Skubal this offseason, and The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma hinted the same may be the case for Freddy Peralta.

Dating back to his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs have been connected to Freddy Peralta. The idea being that if he were ever to hit the free-agent market, the Cubs would be near the top of his list of suitors.

Despite constant speculation, the Cubs appear poised to pass on Freddy Peralta

As it turns out, the Cubs had a chance to make a run at Peralta before he hit free agency. The New York Mets made his available at the deadline, but the Cubs pivoted to his teammate in Clay Holmes. And, David Peterson before that. That should have been the first sign that the Cubs weren't fascinated with Peralta's profile, and Sharma cites some concern when talking about the former Brewers ace as a free-agent target.

As was the case with trading for Peralta at the deadline, signing him this offseason would not be without risk. Peralta's time with the Rays was certainly better than his time with the Mets to start the season, but there was even more decline in his swing-and-miss profile. Peralta struck out over 28% of the hitters he faced with the Brewers in 2025, that fell to 22.1% with the Mets to start the 2026 season, and fell even further to 19.7% witht he Rays.

Likely adding to the concern is that Peralta has a career ground-ball rate of 37%. In other words, Peralta, for the past year, hasn't struck out hitters at an elite level, nor has he kept the ball on the ground to the frequency that the Cubs would prefer. Short of the price being right, it would feel like the Cubs won't be in a rush to reunite him with Craig Counsell this offseason.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow