If the Red Sox want to add another starting pitcher and still sign Alex Bregman and one more impact bat, they will need to find a cost-effective option. Adding a rental arm may not be out of the question.

As far as one-year rentals go, there is no pitcher better than Freddy Peralta. Earlier this offseason, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said he is not anticipating trading Peralta, but the situation may have changed. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently reported that the Brewers may open the door for a Peralta trade.

“Perhaps this was inevitable, but the interest in right-hander Freddy Peralta is so significant, the Milwaukee Brewers are now considering ‘cracking the door open’ for trade discussions, according to a person briefed on their situation,” Rosenthal wrote on Wednesday.

Peralta is slated to play on an $8 million club option next season. He is a year away from being outside the Brewers’ budget, which is usually when they trade players like him away. He would be a great addition to any team, but specifically the Red Sox.

Right now, the Red Sox have Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Sonny Gray atop their rotation. However, after that, there are some young, fairly unproven arms. Adding Peralta would give the Red Sox a legitimate ace to slot in as their No. 2 starter for next season.

Meanwhile, pitchers like Payton Tolle, Connelly Early and Hunter Dobbins could get another year of experience before taking on an even bigger role in 2027. Additionally, if the Red Sox like what they see in Peralta, they actually may be able to pay him, unlike the Brewers.

Peralta is a two-time All-Star and the Brewers are not going to deal him unless they feel they would still be contenders after the deal. After Brandon Woodruff accepted the qualifying offer, Peralta’s chances of being traded went up. The Brewers would want pitching in return, and the Red Sox may be a team that has a surplus.