Dodgers News: LA Signs Free Agent Outfielder David Peralta
Well that came out of nowhere! On Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with free agent outfielder David Peralta. The deal is for one year, and is reported to be for $6.5 million. However, incentives can take it up to $8 million.
This move definitely came out of nowhere, but also makes a ton of sense. The Dodgers currently had Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor and a bunch of question marks in the outfield. Trayce Thompson or James Outman were likely to get the first crack at centerfield, however, neither provided much stability or known value.
While Peralta isn’t exactly the hitter he once was, he’s been extremely solid over the course of his nine-year career, slashing a career .281/.339/.457 with 110 home runs and 486 RBIs.
Peralta spent the first eight-plus years of his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Overall in 2022, Peralta hit .251 with 12 home runs, 59 RBIs and an above-average OPS+ of 109.
Peralta won the Silver Slugger Award in 2018, when he crushed a career-high 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, hitting .293 with an OPS+ of 127 and an OPS of .868. And in 2019, he won a Gold Glove in left field, where he’s spent a majority of his big league career. Peralta has spent 736 games in left field, 176 in right and 23 in center. He’s also thrown one career big league inning — and hey, with Hanser Alberto gone, the Dodgers may need another late-inning reliever.
Peralta is likely going to compete for a starting spot off the bat. I actually expect him to not only win the Opening Day starting outfield spot, but do so in left field, pushing CT3 to center. This would move Thompson to an off-the-bench role, and could push Outman to Triple-A to start the season.
The move definitely came out of left field (pun intended), but I really like it for the Dodgers. I thought they desperately needed to add more depth in the outfield, and with the 35-year-old Peralta, that’s exactly what they did.
In his 209 career plate appearances at Dodger Stadium, Peralta has three home runs, 15 RBIs and nine doubles. Those numbers are sure to increase this season. Welcome to LA, David!
Now they’re loaded up with outfield possibilities. How many is too many? Doesn’t seem like they’re confident giving Outman a chance.
And why not just sign Peralta months ago? It just seems so disorganized.
One thing the Dodgers are not is disorganized , I dnt get spoiled to the fact we have been in the playoffs ten years in row , I still very much remember since 1988 only making 2 playoff appearances thru 2004 and not even in winning a playoff game until 2004
This is the best operating organization in baseball right now bar none!
I agree with you guys but I really think outman should get a shot, he’s better than everyone assumes, first at bat a homer, come on guys give the kid a chance to shine, why aren’t we focusing on pitching more, we have enough of the rest of the team , I do like peralta so welcome to the blue my man
Friedman broke the criteria. A actual hitter that should hit over 200. Getting better, but bo this team will miss Trea.