The San Diego Padres are getting barely any production from their left fielders. Why did the team not explore bringing back David Peralta, who produced for the team in 2024? 

In the 2024 Padres season, no role player was more important than the freight train himself, David Peralta.

Not only was Peralta clutch in the playoffs with several key hits, but he was also loved by his teammates.

During the 2024 MLB playoffs, Peralta hit .400 with four RBI and a home run in only 10 postseason at-bats. No hit was more important than his two-RBI double in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. the Dodgers, which helped the Padres secure a 6-5 win.

Having a role player who can step up in the big moments on the biggest stage is what is needed to be a World Series-caliber team.

When examining the history of sports and the great teams that win championships, it becomes clear that they all have these glue guys who play a major role in their championship runs. This is what the current 2025 Padres roster needs, and David Peralta could have been that guy.

David Peralta’s last 64 regular season games in 2024

.289/.347/.472
132 wRC+

This isn’t including his productive postseason. Still don’t understand bringing the olds they brought in over him. pic.twitter.com/pGmdjg2Ja7

— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) April 7, 2025

Looking back at the history of sports and the big three sports champions, there is always an important glue guy who is a major reason why their team won.

For example, (and I know Padres fans won’t like this) a major reason the Dodgers won their World Series last season was due to Kike Hernandez and their bullpen. Several other notable examples include Michael Jordan passing the ball to Steve Kerr for a game-winning shot in the NBA Finals. Ray Allen saved the Heat in game 6 with his iconic buzzer-beater, and then Shane Battier shot 6-for-8 from three-point range in game 7 to help the Heat win.

When you think of these great teams, you think of star players such as Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Jordan, Pippen, LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. Just know that they could not have been champions without the help of their supporting cast.

DAVID PERALTA MAKES IT 3-1 PADRES IN THE 2ND ?

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/ZYfD1NV6J0

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 9, 2024

Machado, Tatis, and now Merrill. The Padres’ pitching rotation and bullpen appear very strong, especially when everyone returns to full health. What the Padres need is a solid team around them that they also enjoy being around. I’m not saying that signing David Peralta would have fixed everything, but it would have been the answer to the one real concerning issue the Padres have: who should play left field.

This offseason, the San Diego Padres’ front office did not want to sign Peralta to another contract. He is currently not playing with any organization. Instead, the Padres signed guys like Yuli Gurriel and Jason Heyward, who are at the end of their careers, and their numbers back that up.

Fast forward to the 2025 season, and the Padres are in deep need of a left fielder. Even though Gurriel is not a left fielder, he has already been DFA’d, and Heyward looks like he might not be around much longer either. At this point, most have seen enough of the Heyward and Lockridge experiment in left field.

DO IT PRELLER, HE WANTS TO COME BACK pic.twitter.com/qWVUlSi5lN

— Tom ??????? (@WelshFriar) March 5, 2025

One has to ask the question: Why did the Padres’ front office not want to re-sign David Peralta this offseason, or at least at the beginning of the season?

As you can see in the attached Twitter video (above), Peralta stated that he wanted to return to the Padres this season, but they had other plans. We are now 60 games into the season, and Peralta remains a free agent, unsigned to any organization. He is considering retirement. Instead of signing Heyward and Gurriel this offseason,

Why could the Padres not have tried to give Peralta a one-year contract at least, as he would be the starting left fielder and a strong veteran presence in the clubhouse? 

Again, the signing of David Peralta would have meant drastic changes, but it does help in the glaring hole the Padres have in left field? We will never know. 

I also believe Peralta is one of those role players “with that dog in him” who comes through in the big moments on the biggest stage, which is instrumental in winning championships. Do you think it is too late now to sign Peralta? Should Preller make the call?

Ryan Herman

Born and raised in San Diego,  and San Diego State graduate in 2023. Had a lifelong passion for our San Diego sports whether it’s Padres baseball at Petco, Aztec basketball at Viejas, or throwing back to Chargers at the Q. Majority of time spent following, celebrating, and analyzing the San Diego Sports scene. Looking to bring the fan’s heart into telling the narratives that matter to this city and its loyal sports community.