Jhonny Peralta told John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press that he wants to return to Detroit next year. The Tigers could pick up Peralta’s $7MM option or buy him out for $250K and attempt to negotiate a cheaper deal.
"I want to be here," Peralta said. "I hope they pick up the option. But I want to be here. I like everybody here."
As Lowe points out, the Tigers “haven't gotten much production this year from their shortstops.” Adam Everett, Danny Worth, Ramon Santiago and Peralta have all spent time at short this season as the team has scrambled to find steady production. Peralta, who spent most of 2009-10 at third, posted negative UZR numbers at short every season from 2005-08.
Peralta’s .244/.310/.405 season line is unremarkable, but he’s producing at the plate in Detroit. Six of his 13 homers have come since joining the Tigers last month. He currently projects as a Type B free agent, so the Tigers could obtain a compensation pick in next year’s draft if they offer arbitration and Peralta turns it down to sign elsewhere.
Peralta’s teammate, Johnny Damon, has also expressed interest in returning to the Motor City next year. The Tigers have lots of money coming off the books and could be looking for solutions at short, third, catcher, in the outfield and in the rotation.
