Rays acquire OF David Peralta in trade with D-backs

Posted July 30, 2022 7:00 am

By DAVID BRANDT

PHOENIX (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired outfielder David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks, adding a veteran left-handed bat for the playoff race.

The Rays sent 19-year-old minor league catcher Christian Cerda to the Diamondbacks.

The 34-year-old Peralta has played his entire nine-year MLB career with the D-backs, where he won a Silver Slugger award in 2018 and a Gold Glove in 2019. His bat has slowed in recent seasons, but he's still very good against right-handed pitching.

Peralta - a fan favorite in Arizona - has a .248 average, 12 homers and 41 RBIs this season.

'œMy reaction was like, shock," Peralta said. "It was a sad moment for me, for sure, but on the other side I was really excited and happy that the Rays was interested in me, in the belief that I can help them to get into the playoffs and I know that's going to happen.'ť

Rays general manager Peter Bendix says Peralta will likely play a lot of left field for a club with an AL-high 16 players on the injured list, including outfielders Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot and Harold Ramirez. Kiermaier is out for the season after left hip surgery.

'œHe has a history of offensive performance that we really like," Bendix said. "We think he's somebody that can kind of stablize our lineup. Good defender, good well-rounded baseball player. He's seen a lot of things in this game. I think balances out our group really well right now.'ť

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said making the trade made sense for the organization, especially since Peralta is a free agent in a few months, but it was still a difficult moment.

'œIt was a tough conversation, it was emotional conversation,'ť Hazen said. 'œHe brought energy, enthusiasm and he was a really good player for us.'ť

Peralta's unique background endeared him to many baseball fans. He was a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization before injuries led to his release in 2009. He then played independent ball, and was signed by the D-backs as an outfielder in 2013 before making the big leagues in 2014.

Cerda is batting .315 in rookie-level ball.

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas (5) celebrates his run scored against the Washington Nationals with David Peralta, right, during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Associated Press

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