The White Sox announced Thursday that they acquired outfielder Tristan Peters from the Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Sox’ 40-man roster increased to 39. Peters was designated for assignment on Dec. 16 after the Rays signed pitcher Steven Matz. Peters was drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
Peters made his major-league debut last season but failed to record a hit in 12 at-bats. Peters was known in the minors for a patient approach at the plate with a strong command of the strike zone. With Triple-A Durham, Peters sported a 18.1% strikeout rate and a 11.7% walk rate. He doesn’t provide much power at the plate, though he did hit a career-high 15 homers in the minors last season.
Peters can play all three outfield positions. For the Sox, who sorely needed to upgrade at the corners, Peters figures to be in the mix for one of the available jobs. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi is likely going to play designated hitter more than he has in the past because recurring Achilles issues.
The Sox have added Derek Hill, Everson Pereira and Peters to the returning triumvrate of Luis Robert Jr., Brooks Baldwin and Benintendi.
General manager Chris Getz was adamant about making additions to the outfield at last week’s winter meetings.
“Corner outfield is an area that we feel like is an area that really can boost our overall production,” he said last weeek. “Primarily, it’s really [about] finding a bat that can help things, and if that’s in the outfield that’s the most obvious place to look to add.”
