Peralta is a two-time All-Star who played the past 3 1/2 for the Tigers. He represents a huge offensive upgrade for the Cardinals, the National League champions who relied on Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso at the position in 2013. All-Star Rafael Furcal missed last season after elbow surgery.

"Jhonny is among the game's top offensive shortstops, he's a steady defender and he has experience playing for a contender," GM John Mozeliak said in a statement. "He gives us proven veteran experience and brings balance and versatility to our everyday lineup."

Peralta, 31, hit .303/.358/.457 with 11 home runs and a 3.3 WAR in 107 games for the Tigers. His regular season was cut short when he was suspended for 50 games for his involvement with the Biogenesis scandal.

He returned for the postseason and went 11-for-33 with a homer for Detroit.

Detroit did not extend a qualifying offer to Peralta, meaning there would be no compensation pick involved in his move from the AL Central champions to the NL Central winners.

The move capped a busy week for the Cardinals. A few days ago, they sent third baseman David Freese, the 2011 World Series MVP, to the Angels for outfielder Peter Bourjos in a four-player trade. They cut about $45 million off last season's payroll to spend on a shortstop.


REPORT: DODGERS LAND HAREN 


Dan Haren is going west again.

The free-agent right-hander will get a one-year, $10 million contract from the Dodgers, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2015, Rosenthal reports.

Haren was a member of the Angels’ rotation for three seasons; before that he was a mainstay in the Athletics’ and Diamondbacks’ rotation.

The 33-year-old’s so-so 2013 season with the Nationals didn’t deter the Dodgers. Haren had a 4.67 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 169 2/3 innings. He did, however, make 30 starts, his ninth consecutive season of 30 or more.

Haren figures to slot at the bottom of a strong LA rotation that’s led by Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu.


ZIEGLER: 'IT PAYS TO CHEAT'


Count Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler among those not happy that Peralta signed a lucrative deal just months after serving a PED suspension.

"It pays to cheat ...Thanks, owners, for encouraging PED use," Ziegler tweeted Sunday.

In a later tweet, he added: "We thought 50 games would be a deterrent. Obviously it's not. So we are working on it again."


LOTS OF INTEREST IN KEMP


The Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Yankees and Rangers are among the teams that have asked the Dodgers about outfielder Matt Kemp, The Boston Globe reports.

The Dodgers have a surplus of outfielders with Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford also under contract, fueling speculation they might try to move the oft-injuted Kemp.

Kemp, 29, finished second to Ryan Braun in NL MVP balloting two years ago when he was 13 batting average points shy of the Triple Crown. But he had a series of injuries and stints on the disabled list since then, limiting him to 106 games in 2012 and 73 in 2013. Kemp is recovering from recent shoulder and ankle surgeries. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

During his limited time in 2013, the two-time All-Star hit .270/.328/.395 with six home runs and nine stolen bases. He was not at 100 percent. Even so, Kemp had an OPS+ of 105, meaning that even hobbled, he was 5 percent better than league average.

Kemp has six years and $128 million left on his contract.


JAYS EYEING SAMARDZIJA


The Blue Jays are "putting together (a) package of young players" to offer to the Cubs for right-hander Jeff Samardzija, ESPNChicago.com reports.

Samardzija was once considered a big part of the Cubs' rebuilding process, but the team has been listening to offers for him this offseason. The Cubs will be seeking three or four "top youngsters," according to ESPNChicago.com.

Samardzija, 28, is eligible for salary arbitration next spring and can become a free agent after the 2015 season. He set career highs in 2013 with 213 2/3 innings and 214 strikeouts but also had a 4.34 ERA (91 ERA+) and a 1.35 WHIP. The latter three figures were worse than what he put up in his breakthrough 2012 season.

The Blue Jays had the fourth-worst ERA (4.25) in the AL in 2013 and already have lost starter Josh Johnson, who signed a free-agent deal with the Padres.

Contributors: Justin McGuire, Tom Gatto

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