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Yankees interested in Braves prospect Jose Peraza

By Alexandra Huber

Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Jose Peraza (70) throws to first against the New York Mets during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Jose Peraza (70) throws to first against the New York Mets during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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In an effort to improve their infield, the Yankees express interest in Braves prospect Jose Peraza. 

The New York Yankees appear interested in acquiring Braves minor league prospect Jose Peraza. According to the New York Post, the Yankees have already reached out to the Braves front office.

The Yankees, who reportedly have sent scouts down to Gwinnett to see Peraza play, may be looking to improve their production at second base, possibly for the long term.

Apparently, even an unproven minor league is more appealing than their current options, both in the bigs and in the minors. The Yankees current shortstop, Didi Gregorius, has been struggling thus far in 2015, hitting just .172 in nine games and second baseman Stephen Drew’s average sits at .148 in eight games. While the sample size is small, the Yankees have no time to waste, especially in a division as stacked as the American League East.

Aside from the major league 53, the Yankees have two second base prospects in their system, but both have red flags. In Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rob Refsnyder has made three errors in just six games while Jose Pirel has been sidelined with a concussion.

Peraza is the 54th-best prospect in the minor leagues according to Baseball America. The Venezuela native entered Wednesday night’s game with a .303 average and .349 on base percentage. That batting average, even after being adjusted for the minor league inflation, is something the Yankees are sorely lacking in their infield.

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Unimpressed by their current crop, the Yankees seem to be exploring their options. The trade seems to make sense for both teams. The Braves have Andrelton Simmons in the lineup currently and just acquired Jace Petersen from Atlanta. With these two in the fold, the Braves might as well shop Peraza to see what the can get in return.

The Yankees, according to the Post, may be interested in sending Gary Sanchez, along with a second player, to the Braves in return for Peraza. Pitching prospect Luis Sverino, on the other hand, looks not to be on the trading block.

Apart from Peraza, there are a couple other minor league prospects that the Yankees can look at. One comes from their rival to the north, Sean Coyle of the Boston Red Sox. Coyle produced a career-best year in 2014, ranking third in the Eastern League with a .883 OPS and showing impressive power for a second baseman.

Another is Colorado Rockies prospect Forrest Wall, who easily has the coolest name in baseball. Despite suffering from a shoulder injury in 2011, Wall manages to post monster numbers, like a .907 OPS in 41 games with Grand Junction. Scouts are also impressed by his on-base skills and speed.

The Yankees have plenty of options, even outside of Peraza, but if they see neither Refsnyder or Pirel as the long-term solution they need to act fast. Otherwise, the Red Sox will have run away with the division before the All Star Break.

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