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July 26, 2010
Turning into a Major League Baseball version of the Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns, the Indians could once again be entering into a deal with the Colorado Rockies. Troy Renck of The Denver Post has deemed Tribe third baseman Jhonny Peralta as a “potential fit” in the mile high city due to his team-friendly contract and ability to play multiple positions.
Though the note is titled “Jhonny Be Good,” Renck does hit on key points while mentioning the history between the two teams. It was Colorado who traded utility infielder Jamey Carrol to the Wahoos back in 2007 for a Player to be Named Later (ultimately RHP Sean Smith). Two years later, the Indians sent Rafael Betancourt to the Rockies for RHP Connor Graham.
In the final year of his deal, Peralta is owed roughly $2 million. After amassing at least 20 home runs and a triple-digit OPS+ total in three of four seasons between 2003 and 2006, the shortstop-turned-third baseman has struggled mightily with regression in his power numbers as well as contact rate. While these last three seasons should have been Peralta’s technical prime, he has seen a year-over-year decline in batting average, on-base percentage, home runs and RBI.
While July and August have been his strong periods throughout his career, Peralta is hitting a considerably sub-par slash line of .241/.288/.370 (OPS of .638) through 54 at-bats this month. Perhaps he could benefit from the thin air out west.
One thing that Renck may want to temper his expectations on is the whole “versatility” front. From a defensive standpoint, Peralta has had a negative UZR rating through both of his seasons at third base. Since 2004, Peralta managed one season of a positive UZR at shortstop with 2006 and 2007 being -10.6 and -12.4, respectively. Typically getting the benefit of the doubt from home field scorekeepers, Peralta was charged with an error this past weekend as a well-hit ground ball cruised by him approximately one step to his left on into left field. So, there’s that.
It is becoming evident that the player who looked to be part of the team’s core just three seasons ago is no longer figuring in to the team’s future. With first-round draft pick Lonnie Chisenhall in Akron (possibly finishing the season in Columbus), a move of some sort is eminent. What the Indians can get back in return for the player in question remains to be seen. If the team expects anything of value, they will almost certainly have to pay the majority of his salary as he finishes out the season.
14 Comments
Please take him!! He would fit on any team!! For the love of God take him!!
Wow. Please take him Colorado. Anything the Tribe gets back would be a bonus.
I guess playing two positions poorly still qualifies as versatility.
i was sitting behind some scouts at the game on friday. i kept trying to talk up peralta saying things like “boy that peralta” kinda of like “boy that funke” from arrested development.
if only it was that easy.
Colorado, you owe it to Cleveland fans to take this guy from the Indians. This would make me happy, though, he’d probably end-up hitting .350 with 35 HRs and 140 RBIs after the Indians lose him.
The thin air may make it appear that Jhonny cares.
Brendan, you took the words right out of my mouth.
Go, Jhonny, Go!!
Be Gone Jhon!!!
Troy Renck of The Denver Post is my new favorite writer. Keep up the good work and you may get a defensive albatross that doesn’t hit enough to make up for it as your prize 🙂
We’ll take back a humidor. One for cigars or baseballs, we are not picky here.
Christmas come early?
Scott spoken from a Tribe fan do not say anything bad about Peralta. We want him gone. We should be hyping him up! He was a top prospect! Power hitter! Grinder! But to be serious, I hope this trade happens.
As a Rockies fan and Denver resident, as well as a Tribe fan… I don’t want this to happen. We have enough problems right now without him, fighting to get back into Wild Card position only weeks after we were a game away for leading the division. Rox need a first basemen more, not the ever strugglin Jhon
Trade him for a six-pack, it doesn’t even have to be cold!
gone for the price of: starting pitcher with fastball faster than 91mph