MLB rumors: Dodgers nearing one year deal with pitcher Chris Perez
By Bryan Rose
How quickly the mighty have fallen.
Just a few short years ago, Chris Perez was a 28-year-old All-Star for the Cleveland Indians. But now the (former) closer struggled to find a team willing to take a chance on him this offseason after he was arrested on marijuana charges. Combine that with sub-par statistics and Perez, looking for a closing job, was shutout around Major League Baseball.
There were a few teams willing to take a chance on Perez if he accepted a non-guaranteed minor league contract, but Perez’s ego wouldn’t let that happen. So rather than taking less money and a potential shot at a closing gig, Perez opted to go for a more secure deal which will put him in middle relief, this according to the Los Angeles Times who says the Dodgers are near a one-year deal with Perez:
"The Dodgers are closing in on a one-year contract with former All-Star closer Chris Perez, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized. Financial terms of the prospective deal aren’t known."
With Kenley Jansen firmly entrenched as Los Angeles’ closer and Brian Wilson likely handling the eighth inning duties, Perez at best will be used in the 7th inning. Though if he’s able to return to form, he could prove to be a worthwhile investment for the Dodgers.