The Cleveland Indians kept their arbitration streak intact by coming to terms with reliever Rafael Perez on a $795,000 deal.
The club was scheduled to exchange salary figures Tuesday with Perez, the only player on Cleveland’s roster eligible for arbitration. The Indians have not gone to arbitration since 1991.
Perez, who can earn another $25,000 with an All-Star appearance, was a major disappointment last season. The left-hander went 4-3 with a 7.31 ERA in 48 innings with Cleveland and was twice sent down to the minor leagues.
The Indians Coach Manny Acta, is counting on him to regain the form that made him one of the AL’s premier setup men. In 2008, he was Cleveland’s most reliable reliever and in 2007 he had a 1.78 ERA in 44 appearances.
Pérez made his major League debut in 2006. Pérez was not expected to be a major part of the Indians’ major league club in 2007, but he surprised the Indians organization after he was called up from the team’s Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons and was inserted into a setup role alongside right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. Pérez with his hard fastball and tight slider, quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the league. In 2007, Pérez posted a sparkling 1.78 ERA, over 60 2/3 innings pitched in 44 appearances. He had a WHIP of only .923, and has held left-handed batters to just a .145 batting average. ESPN analyst Peter Gammons called him “arguably the best left-handed reliever on the planet.” His most dazzling statistic, however, may be the fact that in his slightly less than three years in the big leagues, he has allowed just four extra base hits to left-handed batters and has held those batters to a .241 slugging percentage.
The Indians need him to return to his 2007 form in order for them to have success this season. This could be a good season for Pérez, with new management and a new contract he will have something to prove.
So you think he has the stuff? Be the coach, leave a comment!
