One of the more exciting developments of the offseason for the Atlanta Braves is the news that the team is involved in the chase for starter Freddy Peralta. The Milwaukee Brewers starter would offer the Braves an incredible rotation that clearly would have an advantage in any postseason matchup, especially after Peralta pitched to a 2.70 ERA and career-best 5.5 WAR while leading the National League with 17 wins last season.
With this in mind, here are a few notable names that could be included in a potential package for Peralta, understanding Atlanta will likely need to use more than one to impress Milwaukee. The Braves must be willing to part ways with a top prospect and key pieces, including a veteran catcher who is quickly falling out of favor.
1. Sean Murphy, C/DH
The reasons why the franchise might want to part ways with the defensive-minded catcher are obvious. While the Brewers have the stability of William Contreras, it makes sense for the more offensive Contreras to move into a full-time designated hitter role and Sean Murphy to serve as the starting catcher.
For Atlanta, this helps unburden an already expensive payroll and gives the struggling hitter a fresh start. Second-year catcher Drake Baldwin is the future of the team at the position. Moving Murphy allows Baldwin to step into a full-time role without any obvious issues.
For Murphy, the move makes sense not only for expensive concerns but when you look at the fact that the catcher has struggled to reach the Mendoza line each of the past two seasons. In 2025 alone, the former All-Star slashed .199/.300/.409 with just 16 home runs and 45 RBIs in 94 games. His .709 OPS was the second-worst effort of his seven-year MLB career.
Atlanta and the veteran both need fresh starts, and adding Murphy in a deal jettisoning Peralta, the Brewers are bringing in a win-now piece that is easier to sell to fans.
Adding to the case for trading Murphy is the signing of Mike Yastrzemski, giving Atlanta the ability to consistently rest its outfielders and manage the DH spot by committee. All of this clears a path for Murphy's exit, whether or not it happens in a potential trade for Peralta.
2. Didier Fuentes, RHP
Didier Fuentes makes this list not through any fault of his own but due to Atlanta's mismanagement. The Braves dealt with seemingly endless injuries to the 2025 rotation and called up a starter who was making great progress in the minors but was only 20 and clearly not ready for the moment. Still, the Braves put Fuentes on the mound more than once, and the starter paid the price, giving up 20 earned runs in only four games played, going 0-3 along the way.
It makes sense to part ways with the talented starter based on these struggles, offering a fresh start with the Brewers. Fuentes still has potential based on his youth and clear talent. The Braves would be offering the Brewers a potential answer to the hole in their rotation while letting the young hurler wipe the slate clean.
The Braves are likely going to need to give up more than Fuentes based on the number of teams interested in acquiring Peralta. However, the talented pitcher is a great start and could be the centerpiece of a potential return.
3. Nacho Alvarez, IF
Another Braves prospect that seems poised to find a change of scenery after failing to make an impact at the Major League level each of the past two seasons. Nacho Alvarez was given a chance due to injuries in 2025, yet he only managed to slash .234/.296/.330 with two HRs and 15 RBIs in 58 games last season. He's still young (22), but he might not be what Atlanta needs right now.
Alvarez could be a solid addition in any package that the Braves create for Peralta. While the infielder cannot be the centerpiece of a deal, he is an enticing addition that offers the Brewers a wildcard that could potentially become a franchise building block.
If giving up Alvarez means landing a starter of Peralta's caliber, so be it. It's a price worth paying if it means bringing Atlanta one step closer to a World Series return.