The shortstop would have been an upgrade for the Mets but is now off the market.
Free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta has reached a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jon Heyman. Jon Morosi reported earlier that the deal is likely for four years and a little more than $52 million. With the Mets clearly looking for a new shortstop this winter, Stephen Drew is the only remaining free agent shortstop who would fit the team's needs.
Peralta's name has come up a lot over the past few weeks. The Mets "secretly" met with him during the general manager meetings a couple weeks ago. And a couple days ago, the word was out that he was seeking a four- or five-year contract, which is what he wound up getting.
Peralta is entering his age-32 season but had a career year this year, hitting .303/.358/.457 with a 123 wRC+ and 3.6 fWAR in 107 games. He served a 50-game suspension for his involvement with Biogenesis to end the regular season but returned to the Detroit Tigers' lineup for the playoffs.
There's little doubt that Peralta would have been an upgrade for the Mets, though there were at least some questions about his ability to play shortstop for the foreseeable future, and his career hitting stats, while good for that position, include a 102 wRC+.
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