The Detroit Tigers held exclusive negotiating rights with shortstop Jhonny Peralta until November 7. According to reports, the Tigers will sign Peralta to a new contract before he becomes a free agent.
A source tells ESPN Deportes’ Enrique Rojas that the Tigers and Peralta are close to agreement on a two-year contract worth $11.5 million.
Peralta has said his first preference was to re-sign with the Tigers. And Detroit wanted to bring him back to be their shortstop. But after declining his $7.5 million option, they’ve been working on a new offer that would satisfy Peralta’s desire for a multi-year deal.
If the new contract is for $11.5 million, it matches the deal given to third baseman Brandon Inge in October. Despite the interest in bringing Peralta back, it was unlikely he’d receive more money from the Tigers than Inge, who’s spent his entire 10-year career with Detroit.
In 57 games with the Tigers following a trade from the Cleveland Indians, Peralta batted .253/.314/.396 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.