The Tigers and Jhonny Peralta are reportedly close to a two-year deal worth $11.25 million. I gave my thoughts on Perlata a couple of weeks ago. His decent offense for a shortstop and slightly below average defense make him an adequate filler until someone better is available. However, I don't really see the urgency to sign him to a two-year deal. There are not a lot of shortstops available this year, so I can see signing him to a one-year deal. I wish they had left their options open for 2012 though.
From a fans perspective, they don't seem to be saving much by declining his option. Instead of $7.5 for one year (which is what he would have made if his option kicked in), they will be giving him $5.6 million each year for two years.
Their infield looks like this:
1B. Miguel Cabrera
2B. Will Rhmyes/Scott Sizemore
SS. Jhonny Peralta
3B Brandon Inge
So, they now have below average defenders at first and short, an unproven second baseman and a third baseman with declining range. This concerns me when they are counting on a big year from Rick Porcello, an extreme ground ball pitcher.
If saving money is the reasoning for the Peralta deal, I hope they make good use of the money saved this winter because they have a lot of holes to fill. Specifically, they need a DH, a corner outfielder and some pitching help. I don't want to judge the Peralta signing too harshly though before I see what else they do.
my hope is that they don't get stubborn about this. if something better comes along by the end of 2011 or for 2012, don't stick with peralta just because he's owed $6M.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, they've been willing to eat bad contracts, so I do have some faith if this one goes bad they'll do what they have to.
I just think a second year is bad from the start.