(Cleveland) – Another Indians player about to enter the expected peak of his career has been signed to a long-term deal. The Indians have signed catcher Roberto Perez to a four-year contract with club options for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The contract is worth a reported $9 million.
The 28-year-old Perez has spent his entire professional career in the Indians organization following his 33rd round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He owns a career Major League batting average of .220 (93/422) with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 11 home runs and 42 RBI in 160 games (.318/.355/.674) since debuting with the club in July 2014.
The native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico spent the 2016 season between the active Major League roster and the disabled list (right thumb surgery), appearing in 61 games and starting all 15 games behind the plate in the 2016 Postseason. He hit 3 home runs with 7 RBI in the Postseason while recording an OPS of .719, becoming the first Puerto Rican-born player to homer twice in a World Series game (Game 1) on October 25.
Perez batted .304 (7/23) this spring with 2 2B and 2 RBI in 10 games and was a member of Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic (2 games).
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