Major League Baseball

D-backs, Tigers have talked Drew-Peralta deal

Updated Sep. 29, 2022 10:17 a.m. ET

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PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks and Tigers have discussed a trade that would include shortstops Stephen Drew and Jhonny Peralta, two sources with knowledge of the talks said Saturday, although one characterized the deal as "a long shot."

While apparently unlikely, a trade involving Drew and Peralta would seem to serve both teams. The Tigers are playing Peralta at shortstop, but most scouts believe he is better suited to play third base, a position that is blocked in Detroit because of the winter signing of first baseman Prince Fielder that pushed Miguel Cabrera to third.

The D-backs are in the market for major league-ready players both at shortstop and third base, and they would be willing to move Drew since they are unlikely to exercise his $10 million mutual option for 2013. The Tigers are believed to be less concerned about the money than about Drew's health in his return from a fractured right ankle.

Oakland and Atlanta would seem to have a need at shortstop, and A's manager Bob Melvin has a long history with Drew. But at this point, there is no action on either front, a source said.

Like Drew, Peralta has an option for 2013, but it can be picked up for a more reasonable $6 million. The D-backs have used seven third basemen this season, most recently Ryan Wheeler, who was purchased from Class AAA Reno on Friday while leading the minor leagues with 90 RBIs.

Peralta, 30, is hitting .275 with six homers, 21 doubles and 35 RBI this season. He had his third consecutive two-hit game Saturday as the Tigers took over first place in the AL Central, and he has 16 hits in his last 27 at-bats to add 15 percentage points to his batting average.

The Tigers also are in the market for starting pitching and possibly a middle infielder such as Ryan Roberts, who could play second base. The D-backs are unlikely to trade Joe Saunders, who has pitched better than his 4-6 record would indicate while the bullpen has failed to hold four leads for him.

Detroit was among the teams at Chase Field to look at Drew on Saturday, but he did not start against Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel.

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