September 29, 2008 Jhonny Peralta may have to consider a move to third base for next season according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "In my exit meeting with Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge, they told me they're trying to find another infielder," Peralta said on Monday. "They don't know if it's going to be a second baseman or a third baseman." If it's a second baseman, Asdrubal Cabrera is expected to move to short with Peralta moving to third.
Our View:Peralta excelled after being moved to the cleanup spot. In 84 games as the No. 4 hitter, he hit .300 with 12 home runs, 58 RBI and 63 runs scored. He has been the Indians' shortstop for the past three seasons.
September 26, 2008 Jhonny Peralta will make his first start at third base on Friday because of the calf injury to Andy Marte, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I can play third base," said Peralta. "I played a half-season there at Buffalo. I don't know how I'll do there [Friday], but I'll do my best."
Our View:Pretty quietly Peralta has hit 22 home runs with 87 RBI, and he has tacked on 42 doubles as well to leave him as one of just 12 shortstops in history with 20 home runs and 40 doubles. This season is the third time in four years that he has hit at least 20 home runs with 70 RBI.
September 17, 2008 Indians' cleanup hitter Jhonny Peralta hit his first home run since August 21st on Wednesday night in the Indians 6-4 win over the Twins. He finished the game 2-for-2 with two runs, two RBI, and two runs scored. Seriously.
Our View:Peralta is just 15-for-59 this month and the home run was just his fourth extra base hit. He seems to be losing a little momentum down the stretch. Perhaps Wednesday's blast will turn things around.
September 3, 2008 Jhonny Peralta was the Indians' lone source of scoring in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the White Sox at Progressive Field, as he went 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
Our View:Peralta has collected an RBI in four of his last seven games, and has 77 for the season.
August 23, 2008 Jhonny Peralta may remain in the cleanup spot when Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner return from their rehab assignments, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Manager Eric Wedge said, "We've talked about it briefly. We can work Vic and Hafner around Jhonny. We could hit Hafner and Vic three and four and Jhonny in the fifth spot. One thing we haven't decided is that we're just flat-out going to move him out of the No. 4 spot. I'm still thinking that through. That's a heckuva credit to Jhonny."
Our View:Peralta went into Friday's game against the Rangers hitting .328 (67-for-206) with 22 doubles, 10 homers and 40 RBI since taking over the cleanup spot on June 22. He also currently leads all AL shortstops with 21 homers.
