Dodgers, David Peralta agree on 1-year $6.5 million deal: sources

The Dodgers and outfielder David Peralta have agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract, league sources confirm the athlete. Incentives could take the deal to $8 million. Here’s what you need to know:

• The 35-year-old Peralta hit 12 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games with the Diamondbacks and Rays in 2022 and averaged .251/.316/.415 during the season.
• He has spent most of his career in left field but also has experience at center.
• Peralta, entering his 10th MLB season, is a Silver Slugger Award (2018) and Gold Glove Award (2019) winner, both of which he achieved with Arizona.

the athlete‘s instant analysis:

How he fits in with the Dodgers

The Dodgers’ outfield picture is pretty hazy early this spring with no clearly defined center fielder on the list. It’s also an overwhelmingly right-handed group outside of potential James Outman. Adding Peralta to that mix gives the Dodgers more depth in left field to potentially get Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson to center against right-handed pitching, while Outman continues to take daily hits in the minors earlier in the year.

The Dodgers’ interest in Peralta dates back to last year’s trade deadline when they attempted to trade for him to bolster their left-handed striking depth in the outfield. Los Angeles was traded for Joey Gallo instead when Peralta moved to Tampa Bay. — ardaya

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(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today)