After comments, Chris Perez meets with GM Antonetti

ARLINGTON -- When a player publicly criticizes decisions made by his team's owner and general manager, it will often result in a one-way ticket out of town. The Indians are currently working through a situation along those lines.

Closer Chris Perez made critical comments about the Tribe's front office last week, creating the perception that he wants out of Cleveland. General manager Chris Antonetti, who is in Texas with the team, said perception is not always reality.

"If that's how people are perceiving it," Antonetti said, "or if that's how others are interpreting it, I really can't control that. Ultimately, I have to rely upon the conversations that Chris and I have had since that time. That's what I'll go on."

Antonetti would not delve into the specifics of his discussion with Perez, but it is no secret that members of the front office and ownership group were hardly pleased by the pitcher's remarks.

"I'm not going to get into the details of that," Antonetti said of his conversation with Perez. "Chris would probably tell you that he could've chosen his words differently -- the specifics of his words. But, again, I think it's coming from a bit of frustration that the team hasn't been as successful as we all had hoped, Chris included."

As for possibly looking to trade Perez this winter, Antonetti would only say that the Indians are open-minded to exploring deals for any of their players (Shin-Soo Choo, Justin Masterson, Asdrubal Cabrera and Perez have all been floated in rumors). The GM reiterated that the Tribe's situation is such that no player is untouchable.

"I've said that all along," Antonetti said. "We're not in a position to say any particular player is off limits. Now, that said, all of those guys who have been rumored about at various points in time, they're all still here, right? They're still Cleveland Indians. Just because teams call and ask and express interest doesn't necessarily mean we're going to trade someone."


(mlb.com)