Angels acquire versatile infielder Peraza from Yankees

ANAHEIM -- After acquiring veteran relievers Luis García and Andrew Chafin in a trade with the Nationals on Wednesday, the Angels continued as buyers by trading for infielder Oswald Peraza from the Yankees and decided not to sell ahead of Thursday’s Trade Deadline.

The Angels won three out of four leading up to the Deadline, leaving them four games back of the third and final AL Wild Card spot. It caused the Angels not to trade any of their veterans who are headed to free agency such as closer Kenley Jansen, lefty Tyler Anderson, right-hander Kyle Hendricks or infielders Luis Rengifo and Yoán Moncada. Outfielder Taylor Ward, who remains under team control through next year, also wasn’t moved.

“Looking at the club and where we currently are, and obviously we're very competitive, we wanted to keep this group,” general manager Perry Minasian said. “It’s a really good mix. It's the best clubhouse I've had in the last five years I've been here. The players would tell you the same thing. And the development of our core is obviously very, very, very important going forward.”

Instead, the Angels added to their infield depth by acquiring Peraza from the Yankees for Rookie-level outfielder Wilberson De Pena and international bonus pool money. Peraza joins a crowded infield that includes shortstop Zach Neto, Rengifo and Moncada. No. 1 prospect Christian Moore is also considered close to returning from his left thumb sprain after starting a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Infielder Kevin Newman was designated for assignment to clear room on the roster for Peraza.

TRADE DETAILS
Angels get: INF Oswald Peraza
Yankees get: OF Wilberson De Pena, international bonus pool money

“Being competitive in August and September is really, really important for this group, not only for the now, but for the future, playing meaningful games,” Minasian said. “It's hard to quantify, but I felt like it was very, very important for this group to go through that. It’s only going to benefit them.”

Peraza, 25, is considered a strong defender with experience at third base, shortstop and second base. He’s struggled offensively, however, batting .190/.263/.285 in 145 games over parts of four seasons, including .152/.212/.241 with three homers, three stolen bases and 13 RBIs in 71 games this year. He is a plus runner, though, as his average sprint speed of 29.2 feet per second ranks in the 92nd percentile.

“He’s a classic change-of-scenery guy,” Minasian said. “He's not performed well from the offensive standpoint at the Major League level. But defensively, it's a very intriguing player. Historically, from a Minor League standpoint, he's performed offensively, can play different positions, can really defend at third base, can also play short and second. We felt like it was an outstanding opportunity to take a chance on a guy that has talent.”

Peraza remains under team control through 2029 and isn't arbitration-eligible until 2027, but he is out of Minor League options. He replaces Newman, who signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with an option in the offseason but struggled while slashing .202/.209/.272 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 57 games. When Moore returns, infielder Scott Kingery is expected to be optioned as he hasn’t seen any action since being called up on Saturday.

Peraza will join the Angels ahead of Friday’s series opener against the White Sox. García was activated Wednesday and Chafin will also be activated on Friday, which will require a roster move. Right-hander Sam Bachman is most likely to be optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.

“You always need more bullpen,” Minasian said. “You can always use more. So we brought back Luis García, who's not only very productive from a pitching standpoint, but what he brings, makeup-wise, the durability he brings and the toughness he brings. And then to bring in Andrew Chafin, who's been there and done that and only enhances the makeup of a group. They will be welcome additions on the field, but they'll be very important off the field, too.”