Dodgers Lose Free Agent Outfielder To Chicago Cubs
David Peralta has a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award to his credit. He wasn't anywhere close to earning the latter in his only season in a Dodgers uniform.
Peralta, 36, got off to a slow start in 2023 and finished with a .259 average in 133 games as the Dodgers' primary left fielder against right-handed pitchers. He hit seven home runs and drove in 55, while reaching base at a .294 clip.
The Dodgers were not expected to bring Peralta back, especially after they signed outfielder Teoscar Hernández as a free agent. Monday, Peralta's departure became official.
According to multiple reports, Peralta has a deal in place with the Chicago Cubs. Robert Murray of FanSided was the first to report the agreement.
Financial terms of the contract have not yet been reported, but Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports it's a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
The veteran outfielder earned $6.5 million in Los Angeles in 2023, offering a left-handed hitting complement to right-handed hitter Chris Taylor.
The Dodgers recouped most of their investment via Peralta's glove. His eight defensive runs saved ranked 14th among all major league outfielders last season. Peralta was a finalist for a Gold Glove Award in left field.
Throws like this routinely prevented runners from taking the extra base with Peralta in the corner:
Although his offensive highlights were few and far between, Peralta did ingratiate himself to Dodger Stadium by delivering a walk-off single on Jackie Robinson Day — coincidentally, against the Chicago Cubs:
Now, Peralta will take his talents to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. The Cubs are notably missing a key piece of their 2023 outfield as Cody Bellinger remains a free agent.
Peralta won't compensate for Bellinger's offensive production, but he can ideally provide leadership and a steady glove to an emerging team with postseason aspirations.
In 10 major league seasons with three teams (Diamondbacks, Rays, Dodgers), Peralta has 117 home runs, 541 RBIs and a .279 batting average.
