The Rays added some help to their injury-plagued outfield mix, announcing the acquisition of veteran David Peralta from the D-backs. Minor league catcher Christian Cerda is headed to the Diamondbacks in return.
Peralta, 35 next month, has spent all nine seasons of his Major League career with the D-backs prior to this trade. The veteran lefty hitter has produced a solid .248/.316/.460 batting line this season (110 wRC+), connecting on a dozen homers, 19 doubles and two triples through 310 plate appearances. He’s striking out at a career-high 23.9% clip and drawing walks at a roughly average 8.7% rate that clocks in a percentage point higher than his career mark.
The D-backs signed Peralta to a three-year, $22MM extension in his final season before he would’ve reached free agency, and he’s playing out the final season of that contract now in 2022. Peralta is a pure rental for the Rays, then, but he’ll give them a much-needed outfield bat to plug into the lineup following injuries to Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot and Harold Ramirez.
Peralta not only provides that crucial outfield reinforcement — he also provides the Rays with a noted boost against right-handed pitching. Tampa Bay has handled righties at only a league-average clip this season, but Peralta owns a .267/.325/.498 batting line against right-handers this year and a stout .295/.351/.492 output over the course of his career. He’s long been ineffective against left-handed pitching, however, and is batting just .114/.261/.200 against southpaws this year (albeit in a tiny sample of 35 plate appearances). As such, the Rays will surely shield him from left-handed opposition as much as possible.
While he’s not the slugger he was when he hit 30 homers in 2018 or the defender he was when he won a Gold Glove in 2019, Peralta is still a solid platoon bat with above-average defensive ratings in the corners. Arizona has used him primarily in left field this season, though the Rays may prefer him in right, given Randy Arozarena’s presence in left. Peralta has a career mark of +7 Defensive Runs Saved in 1435 innings of right field (and has been a scratch defender there, per Outs Above Average). His work in left field is more highly regarded, but Peralta shouldn’t hurt the Rays in either corner slot and also hits well enough to spend time at DH against righties.
Heading to the Diamondbacks is the 19-year-old Cerda, whom the Rays signed as an international free agent back in 2019. Cerda was actually born in New York but moved to the Dominican Republic in his early teens and developed into a prospect of some note. He signed a $325K bonus with Tampa Bay that summer, drawing praise from Baseball America for his plus arm, agility and intriguing power potential.
Because there was no minor league season in 2020, Cerda is playing in just his second season of pro ball. He’s spent the season with the Rays’ Rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and posted an impressive .315/.464/.519 batting line through his first 69 trips to the plate. Cerda played in the Dominican Summer League last season and slashed .218/.366/.338 in 164 trips to the plate. He’s caught 30 of 79 runners who’ve attempted to steal against him at this point in his young career — an excellent 38% rate.
Robert Murray of FanSided first reported (via Twitter) that Peralta was headed to the Rays. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Cerda was going back to Arizona in return.
Cool. Good fit…
Totally agree.
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Great move for both sides
Interesting. I think he should be a close watch in Tampa as he could secretly be having a great year
Underrated player
Agreed
One of the dullest trade sessions in my memory. Please, someone do something! AA, make me believe in Christmas again…
Wake me up when it’s over. The Mets picked up who?
Jordan luplow
Very good move, especially with kiermier and Margot injured
This fills an immediate need. I wonder what they are going to do about catcher, That seems to be their biggest issue.
How about Seby Zavala from the White Sox?
Would agree, Zavala and Sheets are two guys who I suspect will be part of a return in a potential White Sox trade soon. Them and Adolfo
Send them Brandon Lowe and you have a deal. Sox needs a 2b and a left hand bat, he’s both.
HA. this guy really does have jokes, doesn’t he?
Tucker Barnhart!
Now they need to grab Contreras and Robertson
Put Rays right back in the thick of things!
would be fun to see the rays thrown in some chips this year
Would love to see them get Murphy from Oakland which will take care of the catcher need immediately and for the next year or so.
For many years. Doesn’t even reach arbitration until next year.
Tampa Bay has a tendency to trade away arb eligible players if they cost too much. I think it’s a fair statement that Murphy would be in Tampa for a year or so. So being two years.
I’d die if TB landed Contreras. And actually try to keep him too.
Meh
Good for you buddy you really contribute something for everyone to think about.
Thanks for everything Freight Train!
Contreras and Robertson to Houston for OF prospect Quincy Hamilton and RHP JOSE URQUIDY AND RHP PROSPECT SPENCER ARRIGHETTI AND CATCHING PROSPECT KOREY LEE AND SS PROSPECT SHAY WHITCOMB
SOUND GOOD TO YOU GUYS AND GALS
Do you think that is too much for rental players?
Probably but I would give up that any day
Way too much for rental players.
TB always has 40 problems so although they might pay with a little more talent in the market it’s always being replenished
First World problems for a team with a 3rd world economy . I don’t think that ultimately makes sense but it felt right to type
Thank god you’re not an actual GM.
Congrats on your terrible idea.
@Alkie you sound like a miserable Human being. Congrats
He sounds realistic.
Way to much for two rentals.
Cubs fan?
Did Tampa send any other minor leaguers to the Desert, or just Cerda?
Just cerda
Is Cerda undrafted?
He played in the DSL last year and his MILB page said he signed as a free agent on July 2 last year. Strange to see a guy born in the states sign as an IFA, especially when he didn’t sign until he was 18. Maybe an Alex Reyes type situation?
Nvm I read his page wrong he signed in 2019
Born in NYC, grew up in Puerto Rico. Moved to the DR at age 16. I’m guessing it was so he could sign at a young age and not be subjected to the draft, which has stifled the pipeline of Puerto Rican players. Not as many as there used to be and it’s a shame. PR used to produce a lot of good players in the past…
Woah didn’t know Peralta was already 34? Thought 29-30.
He debuted with Arizona when he was already like 25 or 26
Underrated pick up here by the Rays. Being a follower of the NL West, I can tell you that this dude can rake.
The dude can rake? He’s ok, nothing special let’s not go overboard
Right now anyone hitting over 200 is an upgrade with all our injuries! But Franco and Harold Ramirez to be back in a few weeks! I expect more moves !!
And Margot
Absolutely Margo but I’m not sure he will have enough time to be ready for the playoffs- hope I’m wrong
…if the Rays make the playoffs. Everything I read says late August for Margot, have to hope he continues what he did earlier. I love Wander, but he needs to figure out the offspeed.
Remember when Rays fans complained when the team got rid of Luplow and picked up Ramirez? Good times.
Gosh they’re sneaky. Quiet huge get I think.
I wouldn’t say huge, but definitely a good, smart pickup.
Fills a major need
Where’s all this $ coming from? MLB should run an investigation.
Peralta only makes $7.5M for the entire season. He’s only owed something like $2.8M the rest of the way. Even the Rays can afford that…
They can’t even afford a Snickers
@PrivateJudge99
According to you, the Yankees are paying the Rays way.
Nothing like a whole MLB team, living in the empty spaces, of your head.
@Feathersting- it must be nice to see your Sting Rays, finally spending their Groupon money for a change. I wish you the best looking up at the Yankees for the rest of the year. Hopefully your neck doesn’t start to hurt doing so. Meanwhile the Yankees will keep paying your electric and rent playing at your crap stadium. Good luck.
Private Pyle spends more time on TB articles than nyy
@StPeteStingRays- Hey there he is. Where you been, sleeping? Your Sting Rays been making all these moves without you today.
Shazam!!!
Probably hit .360 the rest of the way.
Time for the rays to call A’s Billy Beane and ask for gold glove catcher Sean Murphy. Here is a proposed package to entice Billy and Co:
Rays get:
C Sean Murphy
Oakland gets:
Shane Baz, Josh Low, Curtis Mead, Vidal Brujan and another prospect.
I think that package would work out just fine for both sides.
That is a HUGE overpay lol
It’s an insane overpay.
Are the Rays getting Montas in the deal as well?
Way overpay
Holy hell
If im Cubs id offer
Happ, Contreras and Robertson for that Package
That’s a HUUUUUUUUUGE overpay baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-99077/
If you are joking you are funny if you are serious then you are stupid
That might work for Soto
You are nuts with that package. I wouldnt trade Baz straight up for Murph
Add Montas and the Rays might bite.
Even that is an overpay lol baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-99051/
And Ramon
Omg stop. Just stop. That is a ridiculous overpay.
It would be about time the Sting Rays have to actually pay for something of value.
Lol
Drop Baz and substitute Lowe for someone like Greg Jones and that might work. Murphy for Baz + Brujan straight up might also work.
Do Athletics get rights to Rays parking too?
Way too much lol
Time for the Ray to call A’s Billy Beane and ask for gold glove catcher Sean Murphy. Here is a proposed package to entice Billy and Co:
Rays get:
C Sean Murphy
Oakland gets:
Shane Baz, Josh Low, Curtis Mead, Vidal Brujan and another prospect.
I think that package would work out just fine for both sides.
Insane overpay.
Maybe add Franco as a deal sweetener
Chill, huge overpay! baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-99045/
Peralta is till listed as today’s DH for Arizona. Who takes his place?
Lovullo?
they will just take an aitomatic out
About as good as we were getting out of the DH spot early in the season.
Meh
Ace of Braves
Was hoping the Braves would make this move. Great player for the Rays!
Good pick up. Was hoping the Cardinals might go this route and also pick up MadBum, but too busy pretending to be in on Soto.
Dbacks fans lose a favorite. Kinda sad
I don’t see the need to write more to come when the article pretty much says everything you need to know
Just pick another battle, dude.
Such a perfect Rays move. This angers me as a Jays fan.
Good luck to Peralta and thank you Freight Train. We’ll miss you, but it had to happen. Too many young OF pushing for playing time and with Peralta on an expiring contract, this was inevitable.
Stone Garrett soon to arrive?
I know you are high on Garrett, but I think he will only be called up if the Dbacks trade another OF.
For example, if the Dbacks go after Pablo Lopez and trade Jake McCarthy as part of the package back to the Marlins, then if Garrett isn’t in that package, they might call him up.
Freight train pulling out of the station one last time. Sad trombone.
Here’s the Ray’s big move – not enough
Sneaky good acquisition. Perfect fit for a team like TB.
Rays need to make a few more trades even if it is like this. They jusy have so many holes in their lineup esp. w Franco out.
I don’t know what team draws more fans, a DBACKS home game is more like a home game for the other team, Dodger games have to be at least 90% Dodger fans
Tampa trying to stay afloat.
I didn’t want this team to spend resources on a rental this year, but I have no problem with giving up a Rookie League lottery ticket for a sneaky good player.
Somehow the Rays are not dead last with a decimated roster. Staying afloat is what they’ve been doing all season.
Brilliant contribution.
Good luck David! Hoping #6 ends up on our outfield wall.
Talk about unloading a contract for a player who may or may not see the majors in 5 years…
His grandfather is Tommy La Cerda
The Rays aren’t making the playoffs with the likes of Brett Phillips .144, Taylor Walls .169, Luke Raley .205.
Thanks, Gary! If the Rays don’t make the postseason, maybe the 7000 injured players are responsible and not the anemic batting averages of the 3 players you listed. Just a hunch.
About as cheap as you can get a rental outfield bat. A nice lotto ticket but only 1.
was the person who wrote this article peralta’s father? they are WAY over valuing a very below average player that tampa will only have for 2 months to simply get knocked out of the playoffs like they ALWAYS do, last time i checked this guys not willie mays, seriously, this market has moved so slow we are way to excited to see bad players being traded that we are really over valuing them , as for this guy, have fun playing in front of tampa’s 200 fans for the next 8 weeks.
If you think Peralta is a bad player, then you don’t watch baseball. He’s won a gold glove and silver slugger in his career and hits about .300 vs. right-handers. You’re right, he’s not Willie Mays but the article doesn’t say anything to suggest even close to that. Also, not sure what the Rays did to you to make you resent them so much but I promise therapy will help work through those issues
This guy pushes the Rays to the top of the MLB. Yankees are running scared now.
They should be. Overrated as anything
Like the return for AZ
Peralta is a good player
Tampa’s 15 fans erupt in joy.
*Tampa Bay’s
I don’t think Peralta is good enough to have a cool nickname like “Freight Train”.. Anyone know the inside story on that and how he got it? Sounds like he mighta given it to himself.. Good Luck Freight Train
He’s been a solidly above-average player for his entire career. The nickname was given to him by one of the DBacks broadcasters. Not sure if there’s any significance to it.
When he was first called up, he was hitting triples at an inordinate rate for a dude his size and speed. So one of the DBacks broadcasters said he ran like a runaway freight train; the name stuck and his hit celebration became like a conductor pulling a train horn (and the stadium played a “Choo Choo” over the loudspeaker).
Pretty much every kid that watched the DBacks loved the Freight Train. Hope he does well in Tampa.
Unrelated but trading kiermeier during the offseason?
Doubtful. Nobody wants a constantly injured 30+ year old center fielder making $13mil. His contract expires this season and the Rays have an option for $13.5 M. I don’t think anyone thinks they will pick that up. They can just pay him his $2.5M buyout and move on with life.
They’re not going to pick that option up. There’s no surplus value in him at 1/$13M and TBR needs to be crafty with that amount of money.
It will be interesting to see what he signs for next year though because CF are hard to come by so there will still be a market for him
If Al Avila was creative (and awake), he could’ve doctored some medical records and offered Austin Meadows for Isaac Paredes.
Nice move for the Rays.
@amanda are you sick?
Serious question…..why don’t the rays move to Orlando?