Red Sox sign free agent infielder-outfielder Jose Peraza
By Rick McNair
The Boston Red Sox dipped into the free-agent pool for a possible replacement for Brock Holt with the signing of Jose Peraza. Peraza is onboard with a one-year deal for a reported $3 million.
The Red Sox may have passed on Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Anthony Rendon, but they have not been idle with the free-agent acquisition of utility infielder-outfielder Jose Peraza as reported by MLBTR. Peraza had previously been non-tendered by the Reds opening up an opportunity for the Red Sox.
Jose is a 25-year-old right-hander who hit a laborious .239 in 141 games last season while dividing time at several positions. Not quite in the elevated statistical stratosphere of Rendon, but at $3 million for 2020 it functions for the new fiscal reality for Boston. Also, Peraza who will be under team control for three seasons is a significant plus for Boston.
Peraza – a native of Venezuela – started his jaunt to the majors with the Braves after inking a $350,000 international free agent contract in 2010. With the Braves organization, Peraza eventually broke into MLB Pipeline’s top 100 at 52nd before being traded to the Dodgers and eventually to the Reds where Peraza hit an impressive .324 in 72 games as a 22-year-old in 2016.
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Peraza’s most notable season was 2018 when he was named the Reds’ starting shortstop and responded with .288/.326/.416 slash and 14 home runs and a 2.6 fWAR. The downside to Peraza’s season was the defensive aspect of his game with a -2 Defensive Runs Saved and -3.3 UZR/150.
The 2019 season was one in which the elation and promise of 2018 dissipated at all levels and eventually led to the Reds cutting the cord. Peraza – a noted speedster – who had swiped 67 bases in his previous three seasons saw that number plummet to just seven. The combination of degrading defense and offense resulted in a -0.6 fWAR and an opportunity to see if the Red Sox can catch lightning in a bottle.
Peraza’s addition is the probable end to any hopes of veteran Brock Holt returning to Boston. Holt has already said his farewells and Peraza is a cheaper option based on projected compensation for Holt. Youth will be served and the dependable Holt is 31-years-old and leaves Boston with two World Series rings, an All-Star selection, and a .270 batting average and a boatload of good memories for Red Sox Nation.
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Will Peraza be Holt? This is a classic risk-reward situation and maybe an insight into how the new guy in the corner office – Chaim Bloom – will strategize with the new payroll mandate. Bloom is noted for this type of maneuvering with Tampa and apparently, it will be implemented in Boston. If Peraza returns to 2018 form the Red Sox will have a bargain.