3 Cleveland Indians players who won’t be back next season

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

2. C Roberto Perez

Perez has only played 44 games this season (161 at-bats), with a .149/.245/.319 slash-line, seven home runs and 17 RBI. In 32 games during the short 2020  campaign, he hit just one home run with five RBI. That 2019 power surge (24 home runs) feels like a long time ago, and it looks like his career year.

Getting down to it Perez will be a 33-year old catcher by next Opening Day, with durability concerns and an increasing tendency to hit the ball on the ground. Only so much good defense can cover that up, and he has thrown out a way lower percentage of runners trying to steal on him this yard (2-of-14; 14 percent). He also has a $7 million option for next season, with a $450,000 buyout.

The Indians have a top catching prospect in Bo Naylor, with another top-20 prospect in their system (Bryan Lavastida) who is also a catcher. Naylor could be ready for the big leagues next year, but 2023 feels like a stronger bet for him to arrive and stick. Lavastida may make a move to first base eventually.

Cleveland surely doesn’t want to block Naylor from playing a lot right away, whether he makes next year’s Opening Day roster, arrives a bit later next season or he doesn’t arrive until 2023. That makes a one-year investment in a veteran catcher very likely. While Perez could have his option bought out and then be brought back a lower cost, the Indians are better off just moving on.