Indians release closer Chris Perez

Facing a decision on whether to tender him a 2014 contract via arbitration, the Indians have decided to simply release closer Chris Perez.

Perez made off-field headlines when he was arrested for having marijuana delivered to his house in his dog’s name this season, but he also missed time on the disabled list and struggled with a 4.33 ERA and five blown saves in 30 chances. He was a total mess down the stretch.

Perez was acquired from the Cardinals in the mid-2009 trade for Mark DeRosa and ended up spending five seasons in Cleveland, saving 124 games with a 3.33 ERA and 251 strikeouts in 268 innings. However, his velocity was down this season and he served up too many homers to go along with what has always been shaky control.

He’d have been in line for a raise on this year’s $7.3 million salary and it would have been tough for the Indians to justify that type of money for a 60-inning reliever who’s not even elite. Perez will surely draw plenty of interest as a free agent, but may have to compete for a closer gig or maybe even settle for a setup role.


(hardballtalk.com)