The Dodgers have had a reasonably quiet offseason by their latest requirements. As a result of they’re set to exceed the aggressive steadiness tax threshold for the third consecutive season, any spending over the $233 million restrict will carry a 50% tax. Because of this, Los Angeles has settled for smaller strikes, bringing in Miguel Rojas through a commerce with the Marlins and signing a few veterans to one-year offers. They added one other free agent to that group on Friday, inking David Peralta to a one-year, $6.5 million contract with incentives that would carry the overall to $8 million.
An extended-time member of the Diamondbacks, Peralta peaked in 2018 with a 130 wRC+ and a career-high 30 residence runs. Within the three years after that breakout, he fell again to being a league common hitter with good plate self-discipline and first rate energy. A late-ish bloomer who transformed away from the mound after he had already made his skilled debut, the 35-year-old was by no means going to suit into Arizona’s rebuilding plan regardless of turning into a fan favourite within the desert.
In an effort to stave off father time, Peralta made an effort to handle plenty of holes in his swing previous to final season. As detailed by Zach Buchanan of The Athletic, Peralta sought the assistance of Michael Brantley to assist him optimize his swing for elevated contact. Gone was a leg kick, changed with a toe faucet, and his decrease physique was now engaged although his swing to permit his palms to rapidly meet the ball out in entrance of the plate the place elevated contact is generated. The outcomes have been a revelation: by July 30, his barrel price was greater than double his earlier norms, all the way in which as much as 11.6%, whereas his fly ball price was a career-high 44.9%. His strikeout price was a bit elevated, however that was a small worth to pay for extra impactful contact. Then, on July 31, he was traded to the Rays forward of the commerce deadline and issues sort of fell aside for him:
Upon becoming a member of Tampa Bay, Peralta’s fly ball price steadily fell again towards his earlier norms and his barrel price cratered to only 3.2%. His energy fully evaporated, and his wRC+ drooped from 112 to 91. Happily, his contact price rebounded in Florida, growing by greater than 5 factors, again as much as the place it was earlier in his profession. It was recently reported that after becoming a member of the Rays Peralta was coping with a herniated disk in his again, which might definitely clarify a few of his struggles. If his swing modifications stick this yr and he’s capable of mix a brand new potential to raise his batted balls with a greater contact price, he may very well be a pleasant addition to the Dodgers.
Peralta does possess a fairly sizable platoon break up, which hampers his potential to be an on a regular basis participant. Over his profession, his wOBA towards right-handed pitching has been 56 factors increased than it’s towards same-handed pitching. That break up was solely exacerbated together with his swing modifications final yr; it was a distinction of over 100 factors of wOBA. Fortunately, he nonetheless produced elevated contact towards left-handed pitching, regardless that these batted balls weren’t hit with a lot authority. At this level in his profession, he’s most likely finest used because the robust aspect of a left discipline platoon.
With Cody Bellinger departing to Chicago in free company, the outfield alignment for the Dodgers has been largely unsettled. Mookie Betts is a fixture in proper discipline however each of the opposite positions have query marks related to them. Los Angeles has already introduced in plenty of non-roster invitees to sift by this spring. They’ll add Peralta to this combine, which offers a bit of extra readability to their roster:
Dodgers Outfield Choices
* New Acquisition | Projections through FG Depth Charts
Merely trying by the brand new additions, it’s fairly apparent the Dodgers have been trying so as to add a left-handed batter to platoon with Chris Taylor and/or Trayce Thompson. Jason Heyward, Bradley Zimmer, and Steven Duggar all match that invoice, although Peralta positively looks as if a greater choice than any of these three.
Taylor has spent a big portion of his time within the outfield during the last two years, with practically 75% of his appearances approaching the grass. He suffered by an injury-plagued and largely disappointing season, making his elevation to beginning middle fielder a dangerous proposition. There’s additionally the chance Taylor will probably be known as on to man one of many infield positions if Gavin Lux or Vargas don’t work out at both up-the-middle place. Thompson got here out of nowhere to publish a 142 wRC+ in about half a season’s value of labor final yr, taking part in all three outfield positions. There are some severe questions on whether or not his late-career breakout will stick, together with his 36.5% strikeout price essentially the most obtrusive trigger for concern.
Sadly, Peralta positively received’t have the ability to man middle discipline, which implies certainly one of Taylor or Thompson will should be deployed there repeatedly. There’s additionally a wild card to think about: prospect James Outman. He made his large league debut final yr and has proven glorious energy all through his minor league profession. His potential to make contact repeatedly leaves loads to be desired and he’s finest suited to taking part in an outfield nook. He additionally matches the mildew of a strong-side platoon nook outfielder.
The Dodgers definitely aren’t missing in choices to kind by this spring as they work out how you can fill out their non-Betts outfield positions. Peralta offers them a confirmed monitor report with the promise of a bit of extra if the optimistic results of his swing change carry over to this yr. The group is little question hoping to get the Arizona model of Peralta and keep away from the Tampa Bay model.
