Jhonny Peralta is now eligible to return to the Detroit Tigers’ active roster after serving his suspension for his part in the Biogenesis scandal. However, when he does come back it likely won’t be as a shortstop according to beat writers and he will begin a transition to left field.
Peralta has never played the outfield in his 11-year major-league career, but the Tigers are confident that he has the instincts and skills to make the transition. Peralta, 31, has produced at a solid .305/.361/.461 clip this season.
David G. asks…
Everyone is talking about improving the outfield next winter by signing two free agents like Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo. But I would like to know what do you think about spending some money on a free agent shortstop like Jhonny Peralta . I think it would be a big improvement for the lineup for not too much money. But are the Mets ready to give up on Tejada?.
Tommy replies…
Good question, David. First of all, spending on the likes of Ellsbury (or Choo, although I like him less) is the type of move Sandy has talked about making… “Significant Steps to Improve the Roster”, remember?
But honestly, it seems unlikely that the Mets will sign one star, and two seems impossible. Ideally, I would splurge on Robinson Cano or Ellsbury, but we might have to settle for Choo… a solid player for sure, but not a star in my opinion.
As for your questions about Peralta, Ruben Tejada’s fractured leg might force Sandy’s hand in the shortstop market, but I am not all too sure that Peralta is the right player in light of the PED concerns. Unless the Mets can get a nice discount, I would try to find another option.
However, at this point, if the opportunity is there to get Peralta for a fair price, Sandy should pounce, because shortstops do not grow on trees – especially one who can produce at such a high level offensively. I am all for signing Peralta and an outfielder, but if Sandy decides he is only signing one solid free agent, I would rather have one of the stars.
In order of talent and in reverse order of plausibility, the Mets’ ideal signings would be Cano, Ellsbury, or Choo, with Peralta being a decent consolation prize if the other three sign elsewhere.
