Jhonny Peralta to Stick Around Detroit

It looks like the Detroit Tigers have the left side of their infield figured out for at least the next couple seasons.

Jhonny Peralta has agreed to an $11.25 million, two-year contract, including a club option for 2013. This news comes just a couple weeks after the team re-signed third baseman Brandon Inge at roughly the same cost.

The 28-year-old Peralta played short for most of his career before signing with the Cleveland Indians as a third baseman in 2009. He had this to say about his new deal:

I feel happy. I want to be with the Tigers. Playing shortstop, for me, is my natural position. I feel really comfortable.

The Tigers acquired him in July, and he went on to play 46 of his 57 games with Detroit at shortstop. The team then declined his $7.25 million option last week, deciding to pay a $250,000 buyout instead before reaching this new agreement.

Peralta proivded a decent amount of power last season, hitting .249 with 15 homers in 148 games between the Indians and Tigers.

[MSNBC]