Boston Red Sox Rumors: Is Jhonny Peralta a Fit at Third Base?
The Boston Red Sox are 36-28 and second in the American League East, but could certainly use more production at the third base position.
According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, the Boston Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
Peralta, 35, was released by the St. Louis Cardinals on June 13 after he was designated for assignment. The veteran shortstop spent parts of four seasons with the Cardinals, but was hampered by injuries over the last two years.
In 21 games this season, Peralta is batting .204 in 54 at-bats. The once-powerful slugger is mighty no more, totaling just 11 hits that have all gone for singles after hitting a total of 38 home runs in his first two seasons in St. Louis.
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One aging third baseman could replace another, as the Red Sox are reportedly interested in Peralta. Boston’s hot corner man Pablo Sandoval could be out of a job soon, especially after a 3-for-25 start to the month of June that brought his average to .211 this year.
The Kung Fu Panda, after suffering a right knee sprain in late-April, is seemingly losing his starting job more and more with each passing day. With Sandoval out for all but one game in May, the Sox turned to Josh Rutledge, who ended the month with a .278 average.
Rutledge and Sandoval are now sharing time at the position. Sandoval hasn’t started since June 9 against the Detroit Tigers, which could signal the Sox are ready to move on. Since signing a five-year deal worth $95 million in November of 2014, he’s composed a line of .152/.233/.367 in just 156 games.
Deven Marrero has also received time at third this season, but has flopped at the opportunity to stick around. He’s shuttled back and forth to Triple-A Pawtuckett multiple times already this year, proving that he’s not a totally viable option to stick around.
While Peralta has his struggles as well, he could prove to be a more serviceable option than the Panda. He’s better defensively, too, which the Sox would favor over what they have now.
Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski has history, and fond memories, with Peralta. Dombrowski traded for Peralta in the summer of 2010, and soon found himself in the thick of postseason appearances for years in Detroit.
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If the Sox really are interested in Peralta and decide to pull the trigger, it’d be clear that Sandoval’s time in Beantown would be over.
Peralta is worth taking a flier on if you’re the Red Sox, who could certainly benefit from the everyday production he could provide.