Not long after getting hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman reunited with a pair of players he was quite familiar with. In a trade that undeniably worked out better for the Dodgers than Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles acquired Adam Liberatore and Joel Peralata.
Tampa Bay received Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris. Dominguez is now with the San Diego Padres, and Harris remains in the Rays’ farm system.
Liberatore made a name for himself during Spring Training and in the Minors, riding that success to his major league debut last season. He’s made significant contributions again this season, though has struggled and not been used recently since suffering an elbow injury.
Meanwhile, Peralata went 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA, 5.00 FIP and 1.24 WHIP. He battled a neck injury but when healthy, Peralata was effective.
That was particularly evident in September 2015 when Peralta allowed just two runs and had 11 strikeouts in nine innings pitched over eight games. Opponents hit just .129/.129/.323 during that span.
According to Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the veteran relief pitcher is set to retire after the 2016 season, in part due to a knee injury:
Joel Peralta is in #Rays clubhouse visiting ex-mates. Didn't make formal announcement, but he is retiring: "I'm not going to play anymore"
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 16, 2016
Peralta said arm is good, knee an issue. Most proud he got in 10 years: "Was never easy. I had to fight every year." https://t.co/Lyka5zLyes
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 16, 2016
The Dodgers declined their $2.5 million club option on Peralta for the 2016 season. He went on to sign a Minor League contract with the Seattle Mariners, and made their Opening Day roster.
After he was designated for assignment by the Mariners, Peralta signed a Minor League contract with the Cubs. He suffered the same fate with Chicago in July and didn’t latch on with a team after that point.
Peralta went a combined 1-1 this season with a 5.93 ERA, 6.00 FIP and 1.39 WHIP in 31 games. He owns a career 4.03 ERA over parts of 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Rays, Dodgers, Mariners and Cubs.
