Royals Trying to Rework Salvador Perez’s Contract to Keep Him Long Term
On Monday afternoon, Jon Heyman tweeted out that the Kansas City Royals are trying to keep catcher Salvador Perez long term with a new deal.
Royals are quietly trying to rework/extend sal perez's historically team friendly pact. big plus if done by upcoming fanfest
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2016
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In 2012, Perez signed a five-year, $7 million deal that included three team options. Under his current contract, he will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2020. Given the terms of the original contract it has been one of, if not the, most team friendly deals in all of baseball.
Part of Perez’s value has stemmed from his durability behind the plate. He has appeared in at least 138 games in each of the past three seasons.
Perez’s real value to the Royals has been his defense. According to Fangraphs, he rated second in 2015 in terms of defensive runs above average by a catcher, trailing only Russell Martin. He has been at least a one win player by fWAR in each season since debuting in 2011.
Between 2011 and 2015 he has posted the 11th highest fWAR by any catcher. From his debut on, Perez has provided Kansas City with an incredibly durable and valuable option behind the plate.
For a few years now, analysts have wondered whether the Royals would be willing to re-negotiate with the 25-year-old catcher. He has clearly been an incredible value considering what he’s been paid in the past.
You have to wonder if he could slowly become upset given the rising salaries across baseball in light of his production and workload. It would likely be in Kansas City’s interest to give him enough of a raise to show their appreciation while still taking advantage of the value they have with their young, cost-controlled core.