MLB Rumors: Yankees “Closely Scouting” This NL Outfielder

The New York Yankees are in the market for help in the outfield. And with the news that their first choice, Kansas City Royals All-Star Andrew Benintendi is not vaccinated (making him unavailable for games in Toronto against their AL East division rival Blue Jays), Arizona Diamondbacks veteran David Peralta may be ascending to the top of the Yankees’ wish list. 

David Peralta

-Hits Tanks
-Hits the ball hard
-He would be cheap
-He’s not scared of needles (hopefully)

Yankee.

pic.twitter.com/zgYTYeBpfw

— Carlos (@MattBlakeStan) July 13, 2022

Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted, before Wednesday's news about Benintendi's aversion to getting vaccinated, "The Yankees were in Arizona closely scouting left fielder David Peralta of the Diamondbacks. He would be a fallback option if they can't land Andrew Benintendi."

"Can't", or "don't want to", as might now be the case.

The 34-year-old Peralta owns a Silver Slugger as well as a Gold Glove for his work in Arizona, where he's spent his entire 9-year career.

Although his power output has waned in recent seasons, he slugged 30 homers in 2018, and owns a .282 career average with an .801 OPS. Ironically, this season, his average is down (.236), while his power is back up a bit, to 11 HR, along with 37 RBIs.

The Yankees aren't the only team with eyes on Peralta as the trade deadline approaches, but he would certainly fit their needs.

Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK