Chris Perez

Chris Perez

39-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Chris Perez in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Opted out of his contract with the Brewers in April of 2015.
PBaltimore Orioles  
August 26, 2015
Perez announced his retirement Wednesday, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Perez, who had been working out at the Orioles' facility in Florida while serving a second drug-related suspension, most recently pitched for the organization's Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk earlier this season. The 30-year-old appeared in games for the Cardinals, Indians and Dodgers during his seven-year major league career, posting a lifetime 3.51 ERA with 133 saves in 393 appearances. He'll be best-remembered for his time in Cleveland, where he was a two-time All-Star and posted a cumulative 2.84 ERA over 180.1 innings from 2010-12.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2015
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2008
Perez lost time to an ankle injury in 2014, making just 49 appearances for the Dodgers and outpitching his FIP for the second year in a row. Throughout his career, Perez has battled inconsistency with his control and his 4.9 BB/9 in 2014 was his highest as a big leaguer. On a positive note, he saw a return in his velocity during his only season with the Dodgers, averaging 94.3 mph on his fastball and adding a mile per hour to his slider. If he can get a feel for both pitches consistently, Perez could become a late-inning threat again, but he may have to ply his trade in low-leverage roles and earn that opportunity with a new club in 2015.
Perez dealt with some off-field issues in addition to a shoulder injury that cropped up in spring training, and he was eventually replaced as the Cleveland's closer in the final days of the season. He was predictably released in the offseason with a looming raise via arbitration, and with capable arms waiting in the wings to move into the ninth-inning role for the Tribe. He's a good bet to rebound from last year's setbacks, but he'll likely be limited to a setup role after signing with the Dodgers.
Perez had a number of clashes with the team's front office and fans, but put together a fine season on the field with a career-high 39 saves. He was able to reverse a three-year dip in his strikeout rate and showed the best control (2.5 BB/9) of his career, in addition to the gaudy save total. Perez figures to be a popular trade target with a hefty raise expected in arbitration and with the Indians stuck in a rebuilding limbo. Assuming he remains in Cleveland, Perez is a notch below the league's elite options as he gets hit a bit more than most closers when he leaves pitches in the strike zone.
Perez had a stranglehold on the closer spot all season long, resulting in a 36-save season. He was far from dominant despite his gaudy save total, and the huge drop in his strikeout rate (8.71 K/9IP to 5.88) has to raise some warning flags. He's still fighting the control demons (3.92 BB/9IP last year, 4.29 for his career) but he has been able to walk the tightrope so far. The Indians have a nice flame-throwing setup man in Vinnie Pestano, but there's no reason to think Perez is in any danger of losing his grip on the closer job despite some warning signs in his non-save numbers. He'll be back as the team's closer and should eclipse the 30-save mark again this year.
Perez got a shot to close games after an injury to Kerry Wood in spring training and inherited the role full time upon Wood's trade to the Yankees, racking up 23 saves with a sparkling 1.71 ERA. He was absolutely dominant in the season's second half (0.63 ERA, 16 saves, 0.872 WHIP, 32 K in 28.2 IP) as he allowed just two earned runs after June 28. The only remaining issue is a few too many walks (4.0 BB/9IP last year), but that's an improvement from his days with the Cardinals. He'll return as the team's closer to open the season with a clear path to 30-plus saves.
Perez was lights out for the Indians after a midseason trade, though his ERA (4.32) may not reflect just how well he pitched. A 1.080 WHIP, 10.3 K/9IP and a 3.17 K/BB ratio point to him being more than capable of closing out games if the rebuilding Indians decide to trade Kerry Wood and the rest of his contract ($10.5 million in 2010 and an $11 million option if he finishes 55 games in 2010). Perez makes for a great closer-in-waiting candidate as offseason surgery to remove a bone and cyst in his foot should be of no concern.
Perez has been called the St. Louis "Closer of the Future" for a few years now, and in 2008 he finally got his chance. He was nearly perfect in August before hitting the wall in September. He'll compete with Jason Motte for the closer role this year, but if Motte pitches as well in March as he did in 2008, Perez will have an uphill climb.
Although Perez played at three levels last year, his control abandoned him at every turn. Perez walked 76 batters in 106 innings, but his strikeout rate was high as well, including 13.72 K/9 in 39 appearances for Double-A Springfield. Perez looks like the top candidate to eventually replace Jason Isringhausen, but he’ll have to get his control problems straightened out before the Cardinals give him a chance.
More Fantasy News
PBaltimore Orioles  
Suspension
July 2, 2015
Perez (suspension) was signed by the Orioles on Thursday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.
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Chris Perez: Suspended For Drug Abuse
PFree Agent  
Suspension
June 24, 2015
Perez has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for "a drug of abuse," Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.
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PFree Agent  
April 27, 2015
Perez opted out of his minor league contract with the Brewers on Monday.
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PMilwaukee Brewers  
March 31, 2015
Perez re-signed with the Brewers on a minor league contract Tuesday.
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PFree Agent  
March 29, 2015
Perez was granted his unconditional release Sunday.
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