February 12th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It was one of those things that made you say “Huh, didn’t see this one coming.”
But it was also soooo Andrew Friedman-like.
On Friday evening, it was reported (although not yet officially confirmed) that the Dodgers had signed 35-year-old free agent left fielder David Peralta to a one-year / $6.5 million contract, with incentives that could add an additional $2 million to the deal.
Although the Dodgers are not scheduled to have their first full-squad Spring Training workout until Monday, February 20, the addition of the Valencia, Venezuela native and nine-year Arizona Diamondback (and 47-game Tampa Bay Buccaneer) suggests that Dodgers will use the former (2018) Silver Slugger and former (2019) Gold Glove left fielder when the Dodgers face right handers, with right-handed-hitting Trayce Thompson and Chris Taylor most likely splitting time in left field against lefties, but this is pure speculation at this point.
Over his (thus far) nine-year MLB career, Peralta owns an impressive .294 batting average against right-handers, but a less-than-stellar .238 batting average against left-handers, with 93 and 17 home runs respectively.
The down side to the Peralta signing is that it probably means that 25-year-old Dodgers top prospect Michael Busch will begin the 2023 regular season at Triple-A Oklahoma City instead of making his Major League debut. It was highly anticipated that the popular Grove Heights, MN native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2019 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill would have a legitimate shot at being the Dodgers Opening Day (and perhaps everyday) left fielder.
Although Busch can also play first and second base, those two positions will most likely be manned by 33-year-old future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman and 23-year-old rookie utility infielder Miguel Vargas respectively. Then again, Vargas appeared in a grand total of eight games with the Dodgers late last season – none at second base – so you just never know.
Ah yes … baseball season is finally here.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
Peralta is a good choice for platoon role and occasional DH in place of JD Martinez against really tough RH pitchers.
We can dust off an old baseball expression for Vargas (and perhaps Lux) — The position is his to lose.
This could end up being an exceptionally good signing by Andrew … again.
I agree. As you pointed out, limiting Peralta to platoon role will be ideal for him and Dodgers. Dodgers hitting coaches could result in a career offensive year for him
@Dodgers I didn’t either.
Made Heywards odds of making the team a lot longer.
Agreed. At best, he is competing with Outman for final bench spot
This pick up plus Reyes addition for the pen has made us really close the gap with the Pads.
Dodger lineup
LF Peralta
CF Outman Thompson CT3
RF Betts
Infield
Muncy Vargas Lux Freeman and Rojas
Catcher W Smith and Barnes
Looks pretty solid.
Adding Reyes to a real good pen should be great.
Starting Pitching outstanding.
94-68 battle for top of the west
Syndergaard, Peralta, Reyes come with the caveat – “if healthy”
Especially Reyes who had right (pitching) shoulder labrum surgery less than nine months ago, and we Dodgers fans know how long it takes for shoulders to regain full strength (Urias, Bellinger, Treinen, Jimmy Nelson, etc.)