The Milwaukee Brewers’ latest trade rumors surrounding ace Freddy Peralta are reigniting debates about why Craig Counsell, the team’s former manager, made the bold move to join the Chicago Cubs after the 2023 season. On June 25, 2025, with the Brewers at 43-36 and in the thick of the NL Central race, the decision to potentially trade Peralta—a 2.76 ERA standout—has fans questioning the franchise’s direction. Counsell’s departure for a record-breaking $40 million, five-year deal with the Cubs, Milwaukee’s fiercest rival, shocked the baseball world. Now, emerging insights suggest his exit was driven by the Brewers’ reluctance to “go all-in,” a strategy Counsell craved, making this a trending topic across MLB circles and social media.
Peralta Trade Rumors Fuel the Narrative
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel recently listed Peralta as a top-50 trade candidate, giving him a 20% chance of being dealt despite his All-Star-caliber season. With a team-friendly $8 million salary this year and a $8 million club option for 2026, Peralta’s value is sky-high, especially in a seller’s market at the July 31 deadline. The Brewers, just 3.5 games behind Counsell’s Cubs (49-29) and holding a wild-card spot, rely heavily on Peralta’s 16 stellar starts. Yet, the prospect of a massive return—potentially including young talent or future assets—mirrors the 2022 Josh Hader trade, which backfired when Milwaukee missed the playoffs. “You just don’t trade stars in the middle of a postseason race,” a FanSided analysis argued, echoing Counsell’s likely frustration with such moves.
Counsell, who led the Brewers to five postseason appearances and three division titles from 2015-2023, witnessed the Hader deal firsthand. That trade, which netted William Contreras, helped long-term but tanked the 2022 season. If Peralta follows suit, it could signal another pivot to prospects over contention, a pattern Counsell may have grown tired of. Fans on X are split, with some praising the Brewers’ savvy and others decrying a repeat of past missteps.
Counsell’s Quest for an “All-In” Approach
Counsell’s jump to the Cubs wasn’t just about money—it was about ambition. The Cubs’ aggressive move for Kyle Tucker, despite his one-year rental status, contrasts with Milwaukee’s conservative streak. “The Cubs might fall short, and Tucker might leave after one year, but at least they went all-in,” FanSided noted. The Brewers, despite their 43-36 record, have yet to match that boldness, sticking to a rebuild-and-sell model that clashed with Counsell’s vision. His 707-625 record with Milwaukee showcased his ability to overachieve, yet the front office’s reluctance to chase championships—evidenced by their $5.5 million annual offer versus the Cubs’ $8 million—pushed him away.
Milwaukee’s ownership, led by Mark Attanasio, defended their culture but admitted the split. “We didn’t come together at the end,” Attanasio said in 2023, reflecting on Counsell’s choice. The Cubs’ willingness to invest, even if risky, aligned with Counsell’s desire to compete at the highest level, a sentiment reinforced by his “dream job” comment post-signing.
The Brewers’ potential Peralta trade underscores the small-market challenge of balancing contention and future planning, while the Cubs’ gamble reflects big-market ambition. As fans dissect this rivalry, Counsell’s legacy in Milwaukee hangs in the balance, making this a must-follow storyline for the 2025 season.