David Peralta trade details: Rays land outfielder from D’Backs

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded for slugging left fielder David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In a pre-MLB trade deadline deal, the Tampa Bay Rays secured a strong hitter for their outfield after so many injuries have weakened their offense. The Diamondbacks were looking to sell David Peralta after he had spent nine years with the team for a variety of reasons.

He’s about to be a free agent, it helps clear roster space for their younger players, and it allows Peralta a chance to get into the playoffs again. The soon-to-be 35-year-old outfielder has only been to the playoffs once, in 2017, with the D’Backs since making his debut in 2014.

FanSided’s own Robert Murray broke the trade with ESPN’s Jeff Passan adding in the return for Arizona.

David Peralta trade details for Rays, D’Backs

Peralta is a fan favorite of the Diamondbacks known as the Freight Train. This is partially due to the fact that he has hit 46 triples since 2014, 2nd most in Dbacks history. This year, Peralta is striking out over 23% of the time, which is a career-high. However, he’s walking more than ever in his career too.

Peralta has hit .248/.316/.460 with a 110 wRC+ and 12 home runs, 19 doubles, and 41 RBI this season. He will secure an outfield spot for the Rays after they lost Kevin Kiermaier, and Manuel Margot, and have seen Josh Lowe struggle. Peralta can’t hit left-handed pitching at all but can dominate against right-handed pitching. Against RHP, Peralta has hit .267/.325/.498. That’s above average and will help Tampa raise its offense in crucial games down the stretch.

He isn’t viable against lefties but can play either corner outfield spot. He has won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger before. Overall, this is an A+ deal for the Rays since they needed a bat that can mash right-handed pitching and play the outfield. Now, they’ll be on the hunt for a catcher and maybe some more pitching as they seek to entrench themselves in a wild-card spot against the Blue Jays, Orioles, White Sox, Guardians, and Mariners.

As for the Diamondbacks, they accomplished their goals of getting younger, opening up more playing time, sending Peralta to a place that can push for the playoffs, and getting a player they had been wanting for a while.

The Diamondbacks acquired catching prospect Christian Cerda. Cerda wasn’t listed among the Rays’ top prospects but that’s mainly due to the fact that he is 19 and in the Florida Rookie Level. He’s done really well this year. In 69 at-bats, he has hit .315/.464/.519 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and five stolen bases. He has walked 15 times compared to 12 strikeouts.

Cerda’s defense is exciting as well since he has thrown out 38 of 70 attempted stolen base runners. He isn’t a name to expect to hear more about for the next few years because of his age and level. However, he certainly has MLB-caliber projections if he can keep hitting. An offensive catcher is always valuable.

Losing Peralta stings, but the Dbacks can now allow their prospects to get more playing time like Jake McCarthy or Cooper Hummel. Perhaps they will call up No.1 prospect Corbin Carroll or Dominic Fletcher. The D’Backs youth movement is going very well. This might take the Rays out of the Juan Soto sweepstakes — maybe.