Jhonny Peralta Rumors
Jhonny Peralta's 2011 Option
Things were much different when the Tigers acquired Jhonny Peralta six weeks ago. Detroit was in contention and Peralta was hitting just .246/.308/.389. Even though his contract includes a 2011 option, the Tigers added him with 2010 in mind. Now, the Tigers' playoff hopes have unraveled, but it has been no fault of Peralta's. His play has improved since joining the Tigers, so they may even keep him.
Peralta said last month that he hopes the Tigers pick up his $7MM option and repeated as much to Steve Kornacki of MLive.com yesterday. But the Tigers are the ones who must decide whether to bring the infielder back or find another shortstop via trade or free agency.
After playing third for the Indians, Peralta is back at shortstop in Detroit. He doesn't distinguish himself with his defense, though (UZR has Peralta as about average from 2008-10). Peralta is hitting .275/.342/.458 in Detroit and he has already hit as many homers for the Tigers as he did in Cleveland (7). It's a major improvement and if he can keep it up and play a respectable shortstop he'd be worth a net cost of $6.75MM.
Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera, Alex Gonzalez, Juan Uribe and Adam Everett signed for $6MM or less last offseason, so it's hard to imagine Peralta finding $7MM as a free agent, despite his strong finish. The Tigers would likely be able to find a serviceable free agent shortstop more cheaply, so if they pick up the option it shows that they believe Peralta can continue hitting this well.
Odds & Ends: D'Backs, Matsui, Ausmus, Peralta
Links for Thursday night, as the NFL season kicks off in New Orleans....
- The favorites for the Diamondbacks' general manager opening appear to be Kevin Towers and Jerry Dipoto, with Logan White looming as a "dark-horse." Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic breaks down the three candidates.
- Hideki Matsui wants to play somewhere in the majors next year, but he may not be in the Angels' plans, writes MLB.com's Evan Drellich.
- In a chat with Rangers fans, Nolan Ryan says the team has "every intention" of bringing manager Ron Washington back next year (Dallas Morning News link).
- Brad Ausmus tells Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that he'd be open to rejoining the Astros' organization after he retires. Ausmus said earlier this year that he expects this season to be his last.
- Steve Kornacki of MLive.com thinks Jhonny Peralta's 2011 option could be a good investment for the Tigers, given how well the 28-year-old has played lately.
- Fangraphs' Eno Sarris looks at a few contenders for the Mets' 2011 second base job.
Peralta Wants To Return To Detroit
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.
Tigers Acquire Jhonny Peralta
The Tigers acquired Jhonny Peralta and cash from the Indians for minor league pitcher Giovanni Soto, according to the team. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports on Twitter that the Tigers are getting cash to cover all but the pro-rated portion of the major league minimum salary. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Tigers designated Wilkin Ramirez for assignment (Twitter link).
Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen are on the disabled list, so Peralta gives the Tigers infield depth as they chase the Twins and White Sox. The infielder switched to third base last season after years at short. Peralta hasn't hit much this year, as his .246/.308/.389 line shows. The 28-year-old makes $4.6MM this season (about $1.7MM remains) and the Tigers have a $7.25MM option for 2011 with a $250K buyout.In Soto, the Indians acquire a promising left-hander who still appears to be years away from the majors. The 2009 draft pick (21st round) has a 2.61 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 as a starting pitcher in A ball this year.
This deal should set the market for Miguel Tejada, another former shortstop who is having a similar season to Peralta at the plate. The Cardinals are interested in the former AL MVP.
Earlier today, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reported on Twitter that Mike Lowell wasn't drawing much interest, even though he hit three homers last night. The Tigers had some interest in Lowell, but today's trade likely means the Red Sox will have to find another trade partner.
Tigers Interested In Jhonny Peralta
The Tigers are discussing Jhonny Peralta, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse (via Twitter). Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen are on the disabled list, so the Tigers could use infield depth as they chase the Twins and White Sox. Peralta, who switched to third base last season after years at short, is batting .246/.308/.389 in 2010.
The 28-year-old makes $4.6MM this season (about $1.7MM remains) and the Indians have a $7MM option for 2011 with a $250K buyout. Peralta isn't cheap, but the Yankees do have some interest. Like Miguel Tejada, another former shortstop who is having a similar season at the plate, Peralta could likely be had for secondary prospects.
Rockies Rumors: Peralta, Gregg, Iannetta, Hawpe
Let's check in on the latest Rockies-related rumors and notes...
- Jhonny Peralta has "emerged as a potential fit" for Colorado, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies and Indians have made trades in the past, including Colorado's acquisition of Rafael Betancourt last year, and Peralta can play all over the infield.
- As we heard earlier this weekend, bullpen help is still a priority for the Rox, and Kevin Gregg appears to be their top target.
- The Red Sox will likely look to reopen talks for Chris Iannetta during the offseason.
- With Jorge de la Rosa and Jeff Francis both facing free agency, Renck believes the Rockies should explore a deal for Dan Haren, though there's no indication Colorado is involved in those sweepstakes.
- In a separate Denver Post piece, Mark Kiszla argues that the Rockies should attempt to trade Brad Hawpe. Renck notes, in a tweet, that Hawpe could be a fit for the White Sox if Chicago can't land Adam Dunn or another big bat.
Yankees Considering Jhonny Peralta
Indians third baseman Jhonny Peralta is in the mix along with Florida's Wes Helms as potential bench options for the Yankees, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says the prices on Jose Bautista and Ty Wigginton are too high.
Peralta has a substantial commitment for a bench player, with $2.23MM remaining on his contract. He's hitting .252/.314/.401 on the season.
The Yankees were first linked to Helms four days ago by MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, but Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post tweets today that he's not their first choice. Other available bench options capable of playing third base include Willie Bloomquist, Adam Kennedy, and Craig Counsell.
Wood, Westbrook, Kearns Drawing Some Interest
Kerry Wood is among the Indians drawing interest on the trade market, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Multiple teams are interested in the big right-hander, who has eight saves, 8.7 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and a 6.27 ERA. Wood’s 2011 option vests at $11MM if he finishes 39 more games, but that seems unlikely given his current pace (16 finished so far). The Indians aren’t close to dealing Wood, but rival teams are interested in other players.
Jake Westbrook and Austin Kearns are drawing interest, though clubs are more interested in Westbrook than Kearns. Jhonny Peralta is drawing ‘little’ interest so far, even though many teams could use veteran infielders.
The Indians started trading early this year, shipping Russell Branyan back to Seattle, but the 2010 deadline will probably not compare to 2008, when they dealt C.C. Sabathia or 2009, when they dealt Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez.
Indians Rumors: Peralta, Wood, Westbrook
The last-place Indians are poised to become sellers this month, and have already cashed in one of their trade chips, in Russell Branyan. Paul Hoynes and Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discuss potential upcoming moves for the Indians in a series of articles:
- Although the Indians have pieces they'd like to deal, they haven't received a whole lot of interest from other teams yet, writes Hoynes. Unlike in the past couple summers, there's no Indian on the block nearly as appealing as Cliff Lee or C.C. Sabathia.
- Despite their holes in the infield, the Phillies aren't interested in Jhonny Peralta, according to a Hoynes source.
- One scout on Kerry Wood: "He's got a power arm, but I don't like him closing. He walks too many people. But his experience is valuable."
- In a separate mini-mailbag, Hoynes says that Wood needs consistent work to be effective, and that Chris Perez is ready to be the Tribe's full-time closer.
- There haven't been any trade talks concerning Wood, and there hasn't been much interest in Austin Kearns either, according to Pluto.
- Pluto writes that a few teams have inquired about Jake Westbrook, but that "it has to be a compelling trade" for the Indians to move him. They aren't just looking for salary relief.
Stark On Wigginton, Lopez, Atkins, Lee
Unlike the Red Sox and Rockies, who may try to avoid making a trade to replace their injured infielders, the Phillies are "trying like hell" to find an infield bat, writes ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Stark breaks down the Phillies' options and shares some Cliff Lee rumors in a new blog entry:
- Enough teams are interested in Ty Wigginton that the Orioles can be patient in their attempts to get maximum value for him. The Phillies, on the other hand, need an infielder now, so they'll either have to meet Baltimore's asking price or look elsewhere.
- A scout tells Stark that some people in the Phils' organization like Jose Lopez "a lot."
- The Phillies have never been overly interested in Garrett Atkins, and that hasn't changed now that he has become available.
- Kelly Johnson, Jhonny Peralta, Jose Bautista, and Miguel Tejada are also possibilities to varying degrees for Philadelphia.
- The Phils don't want to move Domonic Brown, Jarred Cosart, Anthony Gose, or Trevor May for an infielder, but would discuss anyone except Brown for a top starting pitcher.
- The Reds "are more interested than they're letting on" in Lee, while the Yankees also continue to monitor the Mariners' left-hander.
- The Rangers and Dodgers would love to acquire Lee, but would have to give up a slew of prospects to avoid taking on his salary.
- According to Stark, there have even been rumblings that the Rays could be a match for the M's ace if they were willing to move B.J. Upton.
|
|
