The Yankees might replace one Biogenesis culprit with another.
According to FOXSports.com, the Yankees have expressed interest in free agent Jhonny Peralta. Peralta, who was suspended for 50 games in 2013, is capable of playing shortstop, third base and left field, and could help plug the hole that the Yankees will be left with if Alex Rodriguez is suspended for all or most of 2014.
Peralta earned his second All-Star selection in 2013, a year in which he hit .303 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and an .815 OPS in 107 games. The 31-year-old learned to play the outfield as Jose Iglesias joined the Tigers’ infield mix in the middle of the season, but he’d likely play the infield in New York, as he was pretty shaky during his time in the outfield.
It’s all about offense with Peralta, and he’ll certainly add some pop to whichever lineup he joins for 2014. Peralta has eclipsed the 20-homer mark four times in 11 big league seasons, smacking a career-high 24 dingers in 2005. He hit .333 (11-for-33) with a homer and six RBIs in 10 playoff games this past season.
Peralta has spent the last three-plus seasons in Detroit. He was traded to the Tigers by the Indians prior to the 2010 trade deadline.
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