First pitch: From Ohtani to Braves success, 3 things I heard during All-Star Game media availability
By Kevin Henry
What is the secret to success for the Atlanta Braves? How happy is Salvador Perez in Kansas City? What are the best sales pitches for Shohei Ohtani?
SEATTLE — Before the players took the field at the All-Star Game here in the Pacific Northwest, they met with members of the media to talk about the first half of the season and what could come next as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
One player who has been part of the buzz around trades is veteran Kansas City Royals pitcher Salvador Perez. While Kansas City general manager JJ Picollo has said he has “no intention” of trading the 33-year-old backstop, Perez made it clear during media sessions on Monday that he is happy right where he is.
Salvador Perez likes what he sees with Kansas City Royals
“100 percent,” when Perez was asked how happy he was to be a part of the Royals and the current direction of things, even with a mark of 26-65 at the All-Star break. With affirmation from the player and general manager, don’t expect Perez to go anywhere when the trade deadline nears.
And what does Perez like about what is seeing in Kansas City?
“It’s a young group. They have to learn how to play together and know how to play to win,” Perez said of the direction the franchise is heading with Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez and Vinnie Pasquantino all starting to make their mark. “It’s going to take a little bit of time but I think we’re close to being back in the playoffs.”