Formerly of the Indians, 3rd baseman Jhonny Peralta is your newest Tiger.
Via the Detroit Tigers official Twitter:
@OFFICIAL_TIGERS: Tigers acquire Jhonny Peralta from Indians for minor league pitcher Giovanni Soto. #mlb
Peralta will take over 3rd base until the return of Brandon Inge. At that point, he could become an option at short. The operative word being "could."
Peralta has been a starter at either short or 3rd for the Tribe since 2005. There had been rumors he was being actively shopped, as his numbers have been tailing off for three seasons. Peralta was putting up a not good at all line of 246/.308/.389 in 2010, well down from his '05-'08 peak where he was a 20+ HR, 80+ RBI threat.
As for his contract status, Peralta is making $4.6M this season, with a $250K buyout on a $7M club option for 2011. According to Jason Beck, the Indians will continue to pay Peralta's contract for this season.
Considering what the Tigers gave up to get him, Peralta isn't a bad get. There is still some pop in his bat, and a change of scenery may be just what Peralta needs.
Soto is a 19 year old, 6'3", 155 lb left handed starting pitcher with the Class A West Michigan White Caps. He was a 21st round selection in the 2009 amateur draft. Soto was solid with the Caps, putting up a 6-6 record, a 2.61 ERA, along with 76 K in 82.2 IP in 2010. Sota was 4-0, with a 1.18 ERA in 45.2 IP with the Rookie League Gulf Coast Tigers in 2009.
Soto was a pitcher the Tigers liked, but the kid is a LONG way from being ready for the big leagues. Let alone he needs to eat a sandwich or ten with that ultra slim build...which has to be one of the reasons the Tigers felt they could deal him.
The Tigers also announced who was removed from the 40 man roster to make room for Peralta:
Tigers have designated the contract of Wilkin Ramirez for assignment to make room on 40-man roster for Peralta. #mlb
Ramirez's days as an outfield prospect are apparently over. This move clinches it, if his being demoted to Erie earlier this season didn't.