Cleveland Indians hoping Oliver Perez can be the answer to bullpen woes

The Cleveland Indians desperate search for a viable reliever continues, as they have signed Oliver Perez on Saturday.

To say that the Cleveland Indians bullpen has been a disaster this season would be an understatement. Heading into Saturday’s slate of action, the Indians had the worst bullpen in baseball, their miserable 6.01 ERA ranking last in the game. Cleveland relievers have combined for a 1.43 WHiP while giving up an opponent OPS of .831. If the Indians are going to hang on to the AL Central, they need to find some help in the bullpen, and fast.

Understandably, the Indians are looking at anyone that has had a modicum of success in recent years. That quest has led the Indians to Oliver Perez, who had been released by the Yankees on June 1. Cleveland signed Perez to a contract, designating Jeff Beliveau for assignment in a corresponding move.

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A former starter, Perez had struggles with his command, frustrating teams with his inability to have his results match his talent. He spent the entire 2011 season in AA before converting to the bullpen with the Mariners in 2012. Since then, Perez has been a solid pitcher, posting a 3.74 ERA and a 1.343 WHiP out of the bullpen. In his 255.1 innings, Perez has struck out 310 batters while issuing only 107 walks.

Perez was not quite as sharp last year for the Nationals. In his 33 innings, he struck out 39 batters and issued only 12 walks, but also posted a 4.64 ERA. However, he still held lefties to a .227/.301/.364 batting line, with 20 strikeouts and five walks in their 73 plate appearances. If he can hold lefties to similar numbers, he could help the Indians.

At this point, virtually anything would be an upgrade. The average AAA pitcher would have a better ERA than most of the Indians’ relievers, as only the injured Andrew Miller and Cody Allen have an ERA+ better than 100. It is not as though the Indians have been keeping the same players in hopes that the bullpen would turn around, as Perez would be the 15th different reliever used this season.

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The Cleveland Indians are hoping that Oliver Perez will help solidify the bullpen. At this point, he really could not be much worse than their other options.