Teams in need of a shortstop in 2014—the A’s, Cardinals, Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Twins and Yankees are my early picks—will have slim pickings on the free-agent market next offseason with Stephen Drew and Jhonny Peralta the best of the bunch.
Limited options in free agency was likely the reason that Peralta, who turns 31 Tuesday, had his $6 million club option picked up by Detroit after a 2012 season in which he posted a subpar .689 OPS. Now, the lack of options for the aforementioned teams will help Peralta out again. But it’s mostly his performance (.892 OPS through 45 games) that could net him the biggest contract of his career.
Peralta isn’t spectacular at shortstop, but he continues to be a steady and reliable defender (his 4.21 range factor is third in the AL; his .985 fielding percentage is second in the AL). After reporting to camp 20 pounds lighter, teams could have less concern about his ability to stay at the position for the next few years and would very likely be willing to shell out a three-year deal in the $27-$42 million range.
He will have earned $16.75 million over the past three seasons once his current contract expires, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him double that. Here are six others who are maximizing their market value with strong seasons.