The Cubs are in agreement with corner outfielder David Peralta on a deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided (X link). It’s a minor league contract, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (on X).
Peralta spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers. The veteran inked a $6.5MM free agent pact with Los Angeles last winter. He struggled through one of the worst seasons of his 10-year big league career. Peralta hit .259/.294/.381 through 422 plate appearances. He continued to make plenty of contact but hit only seven home runs, his lowest full-season tally since a 2016 injury-wrecked campaign. His on-base and slugging marks were each the lowest of his career.
Injuries presumably played a role in that diminished production. At season’s end, Peralta underwent surgery to repair a flexor tendon tear in his throwing arm. Reports at the time suggested he was expected to return to throwing and hitting by March. It’s possible Peralta will be behind in Spring Training. At the very least, he’s coming off an atypical offseason.
Between the middling offensive output, the injury and Peralta’s age (36), he was limited to minor league offers. He’s a quality depth pickup who was a solid contributor as recently as 2022. Peralta combined for a slightly above-average .251/.316/.415 batting line in 490 plate appearances with the D-Backs and Rays two years ago. He has garnered solid grades for his left field defense throughout his career and secured a Gold Glove in 2019. Assuming his arm strength is intact after recovering from the flexor surgery, he should be a stable outfield defender.
The Cubs don’t have a clear path to everyday playing time in the corner outfield. Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ have those positions settled. Peralta isn’t a candidate for center field, where Mike Tauchman and top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong are the projected top options (at least pending Cody Bellinger’s free agent resolution). If Peralta cracks the MLB team, he’d add a strong veteran presence to the bench and could log some outfield reps on days when Suzuki or Happ get a breather at designated hitter.
Johnny Vander Meer
Does that close the Bellinger door?
rememberthecoop
I don’t think so.
rememberthecoop
I don’t think the Cubs will sign Belli, but not because of Peralta. They don’t want to go more than 5 years and 125M while Boras wants at least 7/,210M
durhamsboner
Was this posted anywhere? I haven’t read anything except Boras wants over $200M
rememberthecoop
I have my sources. You won’t find this posted anywhere.
Bill
I think that if Bellinger signs with the Cubs it will be a one-year deal, or multiple years with an opt-out after one year. But that would be after Boras determines that he can’t get a better deal from anyone else.
roob
No one is giving Bellinger anywhere close to $200 mil. That’s why nothing is happening.
I don’t think the cubs should sign him but they might when his ask comes down. And it will.
Travis’ Wood
It’s a minor league deal lol
stymeedone
But he’s A LH OF at an affordable price. Who cares if its a minor league deal. There’s that much less need for another.
solaris602
I don’t think it closes the door, but the door isn’t nearly as far open as it was before Peralta.
Johnny Vander Meer
I didn’t mean Peralta in place of Bellinger but more a sign of them moving on.
King123
I like the name and profile pic. Reds fan?
Johnny Vander Meer
I like the Reds and mostly poorer teams. I find it more interesting when teams have to be creative with their payroll and windows of contention. But mostly I love his record. By far the most unbeatable record in baseball. I have a signed ball from him and some other interesting folks, Bobby Thompson and a few others. My pops got me a signed card too a few years back.
King123
Ooh that’s cool. Those signatures have to be ancient by now. And how cool would it be to travel back in time and watch one of those no-hitters.
phenomenalajs
Not hardly, but the Cubs don’t want a long-term deal because they believe PCA is the CF of the future. If Bellinger can get a long-term deal somewhere else, the future may start early for the Cubs.
Franco27
It’s closing, but not completely shut.
D-Nice
Not as much as the Busch trade may have. With Crow-Armstrong in CF and Busch at 1B, they’d be blocked if they signed Bellinger. They could sign him and trade PCA or another guy for an area of need, I suppose.
Blackpink in the area
I keep saying this the Cubs should trade Armstrong and more for Robert and Cease. And I say this as a Cardinals fan in many ways I hope they don’t but I think they should.
Dotnet22
That’s not how you spell Cody Bellinger.
NewYorkSoxFan
Things not looking good for Mr. Boras
solaris602
Better get that training facility of his up and running. Gonna need it for the players to stay in shape as much as possible and ready for 2025.
acoss13
The draft is in June, I believe all of Boras’s clients had a qualifying offer, fact check me, so that’s when they might get their deals. Kimbrel did this in 2019 so it’s something the Cubs have done before.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
No Belli then. Super Bummer.
NYCityRiddler
Could be worse, could be Wandy. Ahahaha!
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Wandy was Boone’s most trusted reliever the last few years!! I would take Wandy!!! (but pass on Wiley)
For Love of the Game
Wile E Peralta? Any relation to Wily Peralta?
oldgfan
Sorry Cody, had to move on.
murphy8
I disagree
southi
Peralta is NOT the player many Cubs fans were hoping to be signed.
rememberthecoop
What do you mean, who wouldn’t want a .294 OBP?
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
That could be higher than his SLUG.
solaris602
He’s a great teammate, and you can always count on him making the ridiculous hand gestures du jour when he gets on base. Aside from that the dude is pretty gassed and suitable only as a 4th or 5th OF.
JSC Cubbs
Are we expecting a cry of collusion on all these Boras guys not getting signed?
Or just chalk it up to Boras being slow to compromise
YankeesBleacherCreature
No since Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Nola already signed.
Fred K. Burke
May we see a repeat with Boras clients Juan Soto and Pete Alonso next off season?
YankeesBleacherCreature
@Fred Those two will inevitably hold up the hitter market just like Ohtani and Yama did for pitching this offseason.
stymeedone
Really? Do you think they are not paying attention to what’s happening to the Boras’ clients who followed this path? Besides, in comparison, Ohtani and Yama signed early.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I think Boras is digging in, being stubborn and indignant.
solaris602
And then he tries to gaslight everyone into thinking he’s the victim here. Sorry, but none of your players is worth nearly the asking price. Too many owners are still reeling from buyer’s remorse from your past contracts.
iml12
The market the last couple of years for very good players has been insane. It was bound to slow down. Preller getting his credit card cut in half by dad and the Mets hiring a sane gm has changed the landscape of free agency. All four of these guys are really good but none of them should be getting top of the market generational player contracts. 4-5 year 25-30 million.
mlb fan
“Cry of collusion”…Just the fact that it’s only one agent having problems getting his clients signed suggests obstanance and intransigence not collusion is happening. Virtually every other agent seemingly had no problems getting their clients signed. I don’t hear Aaron Nola complaining, but then he’s got an agent(not Boras) that knows compromise is inevitable.
murphy8
Definitely is Boras, but you have to remember this isn’t this crazy, Harper still wasn’t signed for another two weeks this time 5 years ago
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I think it has to do with problematic trend lines, especially with Chapman & Belli. With Snell it’s the length and AAV he’s asking for…but with Monty I don’t know what’s holding up that market.
YankeesBleacherCreature
He probably wants a Rodon/Nola contract.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Would a Robbie Ray contract be fair? I think he got 5 years $115mill.
YankeesBleacherCreature
I think that’s light in the current market. It’s a little bit more than Giolito’s AAV.
stymeedone
Most likely Boras is holding up that market. A team that misses on Snell (assuming more than one is still interested) may pivot to Montgomery. A team that misses on Montgomery may not be interested in Snell. He’s got to try and get both signed and Monty has more appeal.
solaris602
But none of his current players are anywhere near the caliber of Harper. Nobody really knows what they’re getting in Bellinger, outside of his April numbers Chapman had an even worse platform season than Conforto did a couple years ago, Snell is inconsistent, but Montgomery seems like a solid investment at a different price point than the one Boras must be seeking.
spudchukar
Probably half a feint, and half insurance.
mlb fan
Cody Bellinger wants to be paid like a durable, consistent superstar when he’s anything but.
murphy8
I don’t know about anything but, to be fair since 2017 he’s only had those two terrible years but he shouldn’t be paid 25 mill to hit 260 with 20 bombs, that doesn’t cut it for Chicago
rememberthecoop
This.
stan lee the manly
100%. The risk with this guy is way, way higher than a normal free agent. He gives every sign of a Javier Baez-like mail it in career after he gets paid with the way his seasons have gone. Even if that’s not fair, it’s what his numbers suggest.
swanhenge
Just a MiL deal. Good chance to make the team, but all doors are still open for Belli
DraytonSawyer
I was hoping the deal was a minor’s deal. Is he anymore than bench help at this point?
swanhenge
Only Happ and Seya are locks in the OF. If PCA hits in ST, he’ll start in CF. Belli changes things if he signs. I’d say Peralta is bench until someone gets hurt.
rememberthecoop
it is a minors deal…
murphy8
I doubt he makes the team despite their pretty weak OF depth
SeanStL
What for? Cubs have about 3 Pareltas in the minors. He’s just another player barely better than average. Cubs need a middle lineup guy.
Franco27
It’s called depth
SeanStL
See above
ron_karate
Well, good for Freight Train He’s a good teammate and helpful off the bench.
murphy8
I think it’s still very possible they get Bellinger, but not unless he drops to the 160-180 range, which will probably take until just about Opening day if he’s still on the market, I think he wants to come back to Chicago just the money seems like Boras is being very controlling right now
Franco27
He’s going to have to drop more than that. I bet he doesn’t get over 100-120m. Nobody is going to give him that many years.
bighiggy
Shocked hes only been worth 15 war in his career. Still not bad for a guy drafted as a pitcher and released by the cardinals
towinagain
Peralta is underrated. Solid pick up for the Cubs.
I don’t think that rules out a Bellinger acquisition for the Cubs.
That said Bellinger makes total sense to the Padres on a one year bounce back deal.
Throw the remaining 20 to 25 mil at him.
Instant starting lf. Bellinger knows the NL West, could stick it to the Dodgers for letting him go. Play with Tatis and replace the defense lost by Grisham and some of the offense lost by Soto.
All this makes to much sense, which is why the Padres won’t do this.
Padres are all about profit.
Longtimecoming
What took you so long tow?
towinagain
Waiting for the Padres to make me eat my words.
Been waiting all offseason.
murphy8
I don’t think the Padres would get him anyway, I think the best deal for him is 7/180 to Chicago, back loaded contract with an option after 2 years for Chicago and him, a mutual after 3, and a club after 5 years with the most money coming between years 4-7?
Bryzzo2016
Ahhh, I agree with all of this. Peralta is a sneaky good pick up, but I really like the Bellinger prediction.
I thought the Angels were gonna desperately outbid for Bellinger but I like the fit with the Pads especially if they can get him to take a short deal with a high AAV.
User 2079935927
@ Tow No, they’re just like the other 29 teams. They’re in business to lose money. You have it all wrong…
towinagain
You win a WS on a shoestring budget and I am fine with that.
Problem is so many Padres teams in the past spent peanuts and had nothing to show for it.
Reducing payroll doesn’t equate to succeess and in the Padres case NEVER will.
Padres want to win a WS, they have to spend with the big boys.
truthlemonade
towinagain:
I am a Padres fan and I think it would be great to have Bellinger for one year. I don’t think it will happen though.
If SD somehow did sign him, they would and should put him in CF, not LF. SD has much more of a need for a CF. Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill can play LF and back up RF.
towinagain
CF absolutely.
Profar and Merrill.
Preller is going to go all in with a back up lf and rookie starting in the outfield?
If Preller truly believes that Profar and Merrill will help them keep pace for a wild card, who am I to argue.
rarinaho1712
The guy that ruined Drew Smyly’s perfect game
Edp007
The ongoing saga may be forever known as the “Belly Flop “
Bryzzo2016
Got Peralta on a MINORS deal?! Love it, 4th OFer, potential DH. No, I don’t think this affects any potential Bellinger deal. Although, it is a vet lefty bat w/ some pop.
User 2079935927
Whenever MLBTR’s post about a player being signed I click on their name which takes me to Baseball Reference. I like to checkout their past salaries and their career stats,
The thing the always stands out How a lot of players had there best year in 2018 and 2019 hmmmmmmmmmmm what changed after 2019????
CarolinaCubsandKush
I forgot the specifics, but the balls were juiced in 2019. Not sure why it was never really picked up by mainstream media. I believe it has been confirmed. You’re right that a lot of guys had career years that year.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Maybe this is Peralta’s way to apologize for messing up Drew Smyly’s perfect game last year with as 60ft swinging bunt. Yam Gomes had a small part of the no-no ending too.
norcalblue
Somebody will probably blink and give Belli a deal that Borass can swallow. Might as well be the Cubs
rememberthecoop
I hope it’s the Cubs, but I’m going on a limb and saying that Belli signs with the Angels.
mlb fan
It’s gonna be the Cubs. As soon as Scott Boras figures out a way to save face( and who to blame), Belli will sign(for a lot less than Boras promised him). As far as the Angels?…Even Arte isn’t dumb enough to sign another questionable large contract while still feeling the effects of his last bad signing(Rendon).
SupremeZeus
Freight Train. Brings the energy and is a great teammate.
solaris602
Peralta is the kind of player the Cubs used to sign back in the ‘86-‘90 era: best days for sure behind him, but they’re hoping he’s got just a little more in his bag of tricks.
stymeedone
Barbara Eden was the only person who could blink and have the money needed to sign Bellinger for what he wants.
PutPeteinthehall
If he ends up taking another one year deal it probably will be in Chicago. Highly doubt Scott will risk him underwhelming again on the West coast. I believe Belli ends up taking 5-7 150-180 range
Gmaytag
Offer Belli 5/$125 maybe $135; offer Chapman 2/$50 with an option, see who blink first. If only one bites sign Montgomery. Go Cins
vacommish
Braves could’ve used a veteran OF off the bench, especially on a ML deal. Decent signing.
GeronimoSon
Peralta is the kind of “depth” pick up the Cubs like to have on hand for either injury or as a first call up in the event their real target doesn’t provide his autograph on a contract..
The cubs could certainly do worse..
jorge78
Why aren’t the Padres signing guys like this?
solaris602
Yeah, it’s not like the bar is really high or anything. It’s 2/20, and they still only have 3 OFs on the 40-man – four if you count the guy they’re converting from SS. If not now then when?
mustache101
Rrrr not a cubs fan AT ALL brewers fan but this is not a bad signing on a minor league deal…. Good defence and a bat with potential that also has some versatility….
2zwudz
I think Boris’s bad mega contracts are catching up with him.