The Dodgers signed David Peralta on Friday, including a left-handed outfield bat in a transfer that got here as a shock to lots of people. In some methods, the addition of Peralta raises extra questions than it solutions, as Los Angeles had a crowded outfield competitors scheduled for spring even with out him.
One LA insider thinks Peralta’s signing is unhealthy information for outfield prospect James Outman.
Mookie Betts is clearly entrenched in proper area. Outman, Trayce Thompson, and Chris Taylor all have expertise enjoying middle, plus non-roster invitee Jason Heyward (though Heyward’s finest defensive years got here in proper). All 4 of these potential center-fielders are additionally potential left-fielders, together with Michael Busch and now Peralta.
Busch was already an uphill battle for a roster spot, and the Peralta signing appears to seal his destiny as a Triple-A man to start out the season. I’m not as satisfied as Toribio that Outman will begin within the minors, although. Taylor is coming off a horrible yr, and Thompson’s 2022 season was good however probably the results of an unsustainable BABIP. Heyward has been ok to start out simply twice within the final seven years, and whereas he stays an elite athlete and hopes are excessive, he was a minor-league signing for a cause.
Peralta gained’t get many begins in opposition to left-handed pitchers, and Thompson won’t make sense as a platoon accomplice for him since he was additionally horrible in opposition to lefties final yr. Meaning Taylor might be beginning in left in opposition to lefties. Outman is the one pure center-fielder within the group, and there are numerous explanation why left area makes extra sense for every of Taylor, Thompson, and Heyward.
May Peralta bump Outman off the roster? He positively might. However I don’t suppose it’s a foregone conclusion is the odd man out, man.
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