Dodgers: MLB Insider Breaks Down Addition of David Peralta to LA Lineup
Late last week, the Dodgers signed former Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. The 35-year-old Peralta spent the first eight and a half seasons of his career in Arizona before being traded to Tampa Bay at last year's trade deadline.
Peralta won a Gold Glove in 2019 for the DBacks, although that was the only season of his career in which he rated as a good defensive left-fielder. For the Dodgers, they're likely looking more for passable defense and a potent left-handed bat. Jon Morosi of MLB Network thinks he brings that.
"Tremendous bat, for me. ... He can move around the outfield for you, certainly knows the division very well, gives you a steady presence from the left side. ... I've always really appreciated David Peralta's game, and I think the Dodgers do, too. He will add a lot to that mix of outfielders. Of course, they have lost Cody Bellinger. Sort of TBD on what exactly Chris Taylor's role might be. ... He's someone that gives you steady power, a really thorough at-bat, and when you talk about the right/left balance of this team, of course they lose Bellinger as a lefty bat, they lose a righty bat in Turner, and Peralta's always been someone that can bat in different spots of the lineup for you."
Peralta has always hit right-handed pitching well, and the Dodgers have done a pretty good job over the years of putting guys in position to be successful. It's easy to picture Peralta getting a lot of starts in left field against righties, and also occasionally getting a start at DH against a righty. Martinez isn't exactly a platoon player, but he's significantly better against lefties, so when he does get a day off, it will almost certainly be against a righty.
It was already a crowded outfield situation for Los Angeles, and Peralta just adds to that. But he also adds a veteran presence and a proven left-handed bat, which was obviously important to them.
