Freddy Peralta's ALCS MVP Award Proves Rays Made Brilliant Trade Deadline Move

The Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the World Series for the first time since 2020, and one of their biggest contributors wasn't even on the roster three months ago.

Freddy Peralta was named the American League Championship Series MVP following Tampa Bay's 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6.

And I think it's safe to say Erik Neander made the right decision acquiring the veteran right-hander at the trade deadline.

Especially considering where Peralta was before arriving in Tampa Bay.

The 30-year-old was struggling with the New York Mets, carrying a 4.99 ERA when the Rays acquired him.

However, Peralta has looked like a completely different pitcher since joining Tampa Bay.

And his performance against Cleveland might have been the biggest example of that turnaround.

Peralta made three appearances during the ALCS, including two starts and an unexpected relief appearance in Game 4.

He opened the series with six scoreless innings in Game 2, allowing just four hits while striking out six.

And with Tampa Bay needing one more victory to reach the World Series, Kevin Cash handed Peralta the baseball again.

He delivered.

Peralta went 5.1 innings in Game 6, allowing five hits, one earned run, three walks, and three strikeouts.

It wasn't necessarily his most dominant performance, but he gave Tampa Bay exactly what it needed.

Especially considering the importance of the game.

And his willingness to come out of the bullpen during Game 4 showed just how valuable he's become to this pitching staff.

However, Peralta wasn't the only important addition Neander made at the trade deadline.

Liam Hicks and Tyler Wells have also contributed throughout Tampa Bay's postseason run.

Hicks has provided another offensive option for Cash, including an important RBI single during Game 5 against Cleveland.

Wells has become a dependable bullpen option and recorded several important outs during the ALCS.

And when you consider how much Tampa Bay has relied on its pitching staff throughout October, those additions have made a significant difference.

The Rays didn't necessarily need to make the biggest moves at the deadline.

They needed to find players who could help them win important games.

And that's exactly what happened.

Now Peralta has an ALCS MVP award, and Tampa Bay is preparing to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.

For a pitcher who arrived with plenty of questions surrounding his performance, that's quite the turnaround.

And for Neander, it's another example of how the right trade deadline decisions can completely change a team's postseason outlook.