The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent infielder Jose Peraza, according to multiple media reports on Thursday.
MLB Network reported that the deal is worth close to $3 million, plus undisclosed incentive clauses.
Peraza, 25, is expected to fill a prominent utility role for the Red Sox, who appear poised to allow free agent Brock Holt to sign elsewhere after seven seasons with Boston. Peraza has played primarily shortstop and second base, but also has 41 career games of experience in left field and 21 in center.
The Reds nontendered Peraza earlier in December after he spent four up-and-down seasons in Cincinnati. He hit a career-best .324 in 2016 with 21 stolen bases over half a season before dipping to just .259 with a .622 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 2017, his first full season in the majors.
Peraza rebounded the following season, hitting .288 with career highs in home runs (14), RBIs (58), doubles (31) and hits (182) while stealing 23 bases for the second straight season. But last season the one-time elite prospect hit only .239 in 403 plate appearances.
Peraza was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves out of Venezuela in 2010. He was part of a pair of three-team trades in 2015 that first landed him with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played in seven games that year, and eventually with the Reds.
