Peralta to join Cards

Free-agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed on a four-year contract, giving the All-Star a fresh start after his 50-game Biogenesis drug suspension last summer. Several media outlets have reported the move, saying it is contingent on Peralta passing a physical. The deal was expected to be worth more than $50 million. The Cardinals filled a need by getting the top-hitting shortstop, who used to play for Detroit, a month after losing the World Series in six games to Boston. Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso, while generally good fielders, are light hitters. But this deal drew a different reaction from a couple other big leaguers. “It pays to cheat… Thanks, owners, for encouraging PED use,” Arizona pitcher Brad Ziegler tweeted. – Associated Press