MLB Free Agent News: 11-Year Veteran Back on Free Agent Market After DFA

He's tried his hand with seven teams over the course of an 11-year MLB career, and now, veteran infielder/outfielder Jace Peterson will be looking for his eighth club.

After going unclaimed, the #Dbacks have formally released INF Jace Peterson.

Peterson hit .157 (5 XBH, 10 RBI, .469 OPS) in parts of two seasons (55 games) w/ ARZ.

He was acquired for RHP Chad Patrick; ARZ is on the hook for $3M of his $5M salary in 2024.

— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) April 22, 2024

It's a costly dump for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are on the hook for 60% of Peterson's $5 million contract for the season, which adds up to $3 mill (the Oakland A's, from whom he was acquired, will eat the other $2 million).

The 34-year-old came to the desert before the 2023 trade deadline from the A's, and in a combined 55 games with the Snakes, he mustered only a .157 average and a .469 OPS. This year, it got even worse in 26 played appearances as he posted a .045 batting mark and an embarrassing OPS+ of minus-40.

Peterson was a first-round pick back in the 2011 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres. He has a career .226 average with a .650 OPS and an OPS+ of 80, across 887 major league games. He's played mostly second base, third base and outfield.

With his recent struggles, Peterson will not be getting any more $5 million deals, and it's likely that he will have to accept a minor league deal in order to get another shot.

Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK