The Indians have reportedly avoided arbitration with relief pitcher Rafael Perez. According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the two sides have agreed on a deal that will pay Perez a base salary of $2,005,000, with a possible $25,000 in performance bonuses.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes, the $2,005,000 is just above the midpoint of what Perez was seeking and what the Indians had offered. According to Hoynes, Perez wanted $2.4 million, while the Indians offered $1.6.
Last season Perez made $1.33 million.
In 2011 Perez appeared in 71 games, pitching 63.0 innings. To earn all of his incentives, Hoynes reported, Perez needs to make at least 55 appearances this season.
Perez was nails through the All-Star Game last year, carrying a 1.91 ERA into the break. In the second half he struggled with a 4.62 ERA. On the year he struck out 33, walked 19 and recorded a 3.00 ERA. He finished the season with 12 holds, zero saves, two blown saves, five wins and two losses.
The 30-year-old Perez has spent his entire major-league career in Cleveland.
The Indians have avoided arbitration every year since 1991.