The Tampa Bay Rays have added a much-needed power bat. The club acquired veteran outfielder David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league catcher Christian Cerda. Both teams have announced the trade.
Peralta, 34, is in the final season of his contract. The D-backs are loaded with young outfielders (Daulton Varsho, Alec Thomas, Pavin Smith, top prospect Corbin Carroll, etc.), so the only question was whether they would move on from Peralta at the deadline, or when he was released. will Agent after season. There is a trade deadline.
The left-handed hitting Peralta owns a .248/.316/.460 batting line with 12 home runs this season, including a .268/.325/.498 line against right-handed pitchers. Peralta won’t face a left-handed pitcher the rest of the season, as the Rays platoon is in baseball and any team in trouble. Peralta is also a sneaky good defensive outfielder.
Once a minor league pitcher with the Sts. Louis Cardinals, Peralta transitioned to a position player in an independent league after being released in May 2009. He then signed with the D-Backs as a minor league free agent in July 2013 and made his big league debut a year later. Peralta is a career .283/.340/.463 hitter over nine seasons.
The Rays are currently without Vander Franco (wrist), Harold Ramirez (thumb), Manuel Margot (knee), Mike Zunino (shoulder) and others. They came into the week averaging just 4.11 runs per game, the ninth lowest in baseball. The offense badly needed a jolt and the outfield was an obvious place to add it.
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you wish to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
apologies!
There was an error processing your subscription.
The Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians (TB 6, CLE 4) on Saturday afternoon to take a 2.5 game lead over Cleveland for the third and final American League wild card spot. Saturday’s win moved Tampa to 54-47.
The D-backs are 45-54 and out of the National League postseason race. He is expected to continue selling before Tuesday’s deadline, moving veteran relievers Ian Kennedy and Mark Melancon to candidates.
MLB.com does not list Cerda, 19, among Tampa’s top 30 prospects.. He is hitting .315/.464/.519 with two more home runs and more walks (15) than strikeouts (12) in 20 rookie ball games this season.
