Wandy Peralta

Position: RP B/T: L/L
Age: 32 (07/27/1991)

2023 Traditional Stats: 63 G, 54 IP, 2.83 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, 4-2, 51 SO, 30 BB
2023 Advanced Stats: 154 ERA+, 22.5% SO%, 13.2% BB%, 4.70 xERA, 5.05 FIP, 4.50 xFIP, -0.5 fWAR, 1.4 bWAR

Rundown

Wandy Peralta began his career in the majors in the National League, splitting his time with the Reds and Giants. His years in the NL were up and down, but he finished with a 9-9 record in 200 games. During those seven years, Peralta pitched in 192 innings, struck out 158 batters and allowed 92 walks. He had a 4.42 ERA between his time in Cincinnati and San Francisco and took on the occasional closing duties for both teams.

The Giants traded Peralta to the Yankees at the beginning of the 2021 season for Mike Tauchman. Peralta faired better in the American League with a 2.82 ERA in three seasons through 165 games. He finished his time as a Yankee 10-9, striking out 133 and allowing 65 walks in 153 innings of work.

With Brent Suter off the table after signing with the Reds, Peralta is the next-best lefty on the market. According to Statcast, Peralta finished the 2023 season in the 94th percentile in ground ball percentage (57.1%), 88th percentile in average exit velocity (86.8 mph), 86th percentile in chase percentage (32.5%) and 81st percentile in hard-hit percentage (34.3%).

While his walk percentage was one of the highest of his career, Peralta excelled at holding runners. He held a career-best 18 runners and finished the season with an 85.2% left on-base percentage. Control was an issue this season, as he issued his second-highest total walks.

Hitters hit only .188 against Peralta in 2023. Righties slashed .229/.354/.404 against him, while lefties had an ever trickier time. Lefties hit .138/.271/.213. Peralta throws an even dose of his changeup and sinker, relying less on his slider and fastball. His off-speed velocity has ticked upwards each year, going from 85.7 mph in 2016 to 89.0 mph in 2023.

Contract

Peralta settled his final arbitration year with the Yankees last offseason at $3.35 million. To get an idea of what he might garner this year, here’s a look at what other relievers similar to Peralta received:

Suter’s contract is a good indication of what Peralta might get. They both had similar 2023 seasons and induced soft contact and ground balls. Expect Peralta to nab a one to two-year deal with an AAV of about $3-4 million.

Recommendation

After missing out on Suter, the southpaw market is even thinner for relievers. Peralta remains the best option, after Josh Hader, of course, but the Mets aren’t shooting that high. While he’s not a guy the Mets can get length out of, another lefty in the bullpen with Brooks Raley is invaluable. 

The Mets and Peralta have been connected as of the past week. A reunion with new manager Carlos Mendoza is another incentive for Peralta to sign with the Mets, as many of his former Yankee teammates like Luis Severino and Harrison Bader have. It’s a signing the Mets should jump on before another lefty is off the board.