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D-Backs trade David Peralta to Rays for 19-year-old catcher

The D-Backs received 19-year-old minor league catcher Christian Cerda from the Rays in exchange for Peralta.
Credit: AP
Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta celebrates his solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired outfielder David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks, adding a veteran left-handed bat for the playoff race.

The Rays sent 19-year-old minor league catcher Christian Cerda to the Diamondbacks.

The 34-year-old Peralta has played his entire nine-year MLB career with the D-backs, where he won a Silver Slugger award in 2018 and a Gold Glove in 2019. His bat has slowed in recent seasons, but he's still very good against right-handed pitching.

Peralta — a fan favorite in Arizona — has a .248 average, 12 homers and 41 RBIs this season.

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said making the trade made sense for the organization, especially since Peralta is a free agent in a few months, but it was still a difficult moment.

“It was a tough conversation, it was an emotional conversation,” Hazen said. “He brought energy, enthusiasm and he was a really good player for us.”

Peralta's unique background endeared him to many baseball fans. He was a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization before injuries led to his release in 2009. He then played independent ball and was signed by the D-backs as an outfielder in 2013 before making the big leagues in 2014.

Cerda is batting .315 in rookie-level ball.

    

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