Indians, Roberto Perez agree to extension

Right in time for the start of the season, the Indians and Roberto Perez agreed to a new deal that should be appeasing to both sides.

Fresh off a World Series appearance, the Cleveland Indians and Roberto Perez agreed Sunday to a team-friendly contract, with the terms being four years and $9 million.

Perez emerged for the Indians throughout the second-half of last year filling in for the injured Yan Gomes, becoming a stalwart behind the plates in handling an Indians pitching staff that was key in them reaching the World Series for the first time since 1997.

In games that Perez started during the regular season, the Indians went a smooth 33-20 on their way to the Central Division crown. Perez threw out 46 percent of attempted basestealers during that time as well, showcasing an arm giving the staff more confidence to throw the ball and focus less on baserunners.

The deal is more back-ended than front as Perez will make only $550,000 this season in addition to a $500,000 signing bonus, with the contract topping out at $3.5 million for the 2019 season.

At the plate during the regular season, Perez hit just a .186 clip, but homered twice during game one of the World Series to the surprise of the Cubs.

Looking forward, Perez will continue to provide a quite adequate second option behind Yan Gomes in handling the likes of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Andrew Miller to name a few. If Perez could hit .240 over the stretch of a season, that would be an added bonus to what the Indians expected they’d get.

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Getting to a World Series is difficult as it is. Getting back two years straight is quite the task as well. Moves like locking up Perez for a while could pay dividends to the Indians in accomplishing the task of winning their first World Series since 1948.