Yankees circling a familiar Orioles target as Brewers' trade rumors heat up

Even after trading for Shane Baz as an upside play for their starting rotation, and adding Zach Eflin for backend stability, the Baltimore Orioles remain in search of a frontline starting pitcher. While conventional wisdom would point Baltimore in the direction of the free-agent market, specifically Framber Valdez, they still have enough prospect capital to pull off a trade.

Name a starting pitcher on the trade market, and there's a good chance that the Orioles were among the teams connected to them. One of the most logical options still is Milwaukee Brewers' ace Freddy Peralta.

In the aftermath of the Baz trade, the Astros adding Mike Burrows in a three-way trade, and the Cubs dealing for Edward Cabrera, the expectation is that the Brewers and Peralta have taken center stage on the trade market. Peralta is making $8 million in his final season before free agency, and true to form, Milwaukee is looking to trade the 29-year-old starting pitcher while looking for a way to remain in contention while also resetting.

The expectation remains that Peralta will be traded before Opening Day, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter makes the case for the Orioles. The hypothetical trade sees the Orioles add Peralta while giving up outfielder Dylan Beavers, left-handed pitcher Cade Povich, and pitching prospect Joseph Dzierwa.

MLB pundit mocks up a path for the Orioles to land Freddy Peralta, but the Yankees are lurking

Giving up Beavers would sting, but one that Baltimore may be comfortable with after trading for Taylor Ward this offseason. Not to mention, Peralta gives them a clear option at the top of their rotation with Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish. That being said, it also speaks to why the Orioles may just rather use money to sign an established starting pitcher instead of trading one. Especially because Colton Cowser and Ryan Mountcastle aren't viewed as potential headliners in a trade.

There's also the familiar problem of the Yankees. The Yankees have been linked to Peralta throughout the offseason, and there's been an uptick in speculation that a deal could be approaching the finish line.

Peralta landing with the Yankees certainly would sting, but a scenario Baltimore can live with, given the offseason they've had. Especially if it's an offseason that sees the poaching of the free-agent market one final time before spring training starts.