Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Dodgers Nearing Deal With Chris Perez

By charliewilmoth | December 22, 2013 at 11:12pm CDT

The Dodgers are close to reaching agreement on a one-year deal with reliever Chris Perez, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports. Perez is represented by Nez Balelo of CAA Sports.

Perez, 28, posted a 4.33 ERA with 9.0 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 for the Indians last season. He spent parts of four seasons as Cleveland's closer, but he lost that job late in the 2013 season after he struggled in August and September. The Indians released him in late October rather than paying him the projected $9MM he would have made through the arbitration process.

In Los Angeles, Perez likely won't have to close, or even necessarily to pitch particularly high-leverage innings. Kenley Jansen looks set to continue to be the Dodgers' closer, and righties Brian Wilson and Chris Withrow will likely be ahead of Perez on the depth chart.

Share 2 Retweet 60 Send via email0

Los Angeles Dodgers Chris Perez

AL East, AL West Dominating Free Agent Market
Main
Orioles, Three Others Showing “Significant” Interest In Rodney
View Comments (55)
Post a Comment

55 Comments

  1. Gobias Bluth

    12 years ago

    Ooh, interesting signing if true. I like it if the money is reasonable.

    Reply
    • BlueSkyLA

      12 years ago

      Who cares about the money?

      Reply
  2. Dynasty22

    12 years ago

    I predict a 3/18 deal.

    Reply
    • dieharddodgerfan

      12 years ago

      Reportedly, its a 1 year deal. Most likely, Perez taking a 1 yr deal to rehab his value.

      Reply
      • TBRays3

        12 years ago

        I like the deal however, LAD has one of the strongest pens in the NL now

        Reply
      • Dynasty22

        12 years ago

        I was making a Brandon League gist but I guess it wasn’t obvious. But, yeah, a 1 year deal for Chris Perez would be good for both sides.

        Reply
        • Revery

          12 years ago

          That is because your exaggerated contract suggestion actually undersold League’s by 4.5M.

          Reply
        • Revery

          12 years ago

          That is because your exaggerated contract suggestion actually undersold League’s by 4.5M.

          Reply
          • BlueSkyLA

            12 years ago

            It’s easy to criticize the League contract after his struggles last season, but we know he can be very good. The man throws five effective pitches. I think he got unlucky last year and it gave him a case of the yips. Perez is going to be a reclamation case too. If Honeycutt can fix both of these pitchers the Dodgers’ bullpen will be massive.

            Reply
            • teufelshunde4

              12 years ago

              League wasnt that good before getting that contract.

              Reply
              • BlueSkyLA

                12 years ago

                Good enough to be one of the top closers in MLB only two seasons ago, and very effective when he came over to the Dodgers in 2012. I don’t think he’s ever had the consistency required to ever be a great closer, but he can still be plenty useful if his issues get worked out.

                Reply
                • thegrayrace

                  12 years ago

                  League was never one of the top closers in MLB. He was slightly above average in 2011, and in 2012 he lost his closer job in Seattle to Tom Wilhelmsen, who has since lost his job to Danny Farquhar. He was also pitching in Seattle, which was a pitcher’s dream. His numbers away from Safeco were pretty mediocre.

                  League at his best is a 7th or 8th inning guy. He has a career 6.5 SO/9 and 3.0 BB/9. That’s a really mediocre ratio.

                  Reply
                  • BlueSkyLA

                    12 years ago

                    He was one of the top in terms of saves in 2011. Sure, the classic closer is a strikeout artist, but that isn’t the only path to success. Just for fun I took a random look at others. Francisco Cordero recorded over 300 saves in his career, with a SO/BB ratio of 2.1.

                    Reply
                    • thegrayrace

                      12 years ago

                      eh, tied for 9th in saves… not really remarkable. Saves are a pretty poor way to evaluate a pitcher anyway.

                      Reply
                      • BlueSkyLA

                        12 years ago

                        Third in the AL, I believe, and no mean feat when you pitch for a team that loses 95 games. Again, I don’t think he’s great but I think he can be very useful if his issues get worked out. That was the point I was making.

                        Reply
          • BlueSkyLA

            12 years ago

            It’s easy to criticize the League contract after his struggles last season, but we know he can be very good. The man throws five effective pitches. I think he got unlucky last year and it gave him a case of the yips. Perez is going to be a reclamation case too. If Honeycutt can fix both of these pitchers the Dodgers’ bullpen will be massive.

            Reply
  3. dieharddodgerfan

    12 years ago

    I really like this signing, if it happens.

    If the Dodgers can fix him, then all of a sudden the bullpen is LOADED with Withrow, Perez, Wilson and Jansen from the right side and Paco Rodriguez and J.P. Howell from the left.

    Reply
    • treday

      12 years ago

      If its at a reasonable price, there’s really no reason not to. I mean, everyone scoffed at the Volquez and Marmol pickups, but those guys actually gave some solid innings. If Perez can find it, then the ‘pen is stacked. If not, well that’s fine, there’s still some solid in-house options. Granted it does depend on the money, but I love the pick-up.

      Reply
    • treday

      12 years ago

      If its at a reasonable price, there’s really no reason not to. I mean, everyone scoffed at the Volquez and Marmol pickups, but those guys actually gave some solid innings. If Perez can find it, then the ‘pen is stacked. If not, well that’s fine, there’s still some solid in-house options. Granted it does depend on the money, but I love the pick-up.

      Reply
  4. bob smit

    12 years ago

    Bye CP. I hope things improve for the guy after some very good (and very bad) moments in Cleveland.

    Reply
  5. bob smit

    12 years ago

    Bye CP. I hope things improve for the guy after some very good (and very bad) moments in Cleveland.

    Reply
  6. Anthony Hughes

    12 years ago

    Jansen, Wilson, Perez, Withrow, League as righties in the pen, with Howell and Paco from the left side. I don’t see any room for a guy like Jamey Wright now. And this allows them to keep Dominguez in the minors at the start of the season. This is just my own speculation, but they now have enough back there to include Jansen in a trade if that could help to net them David Price. Just total speculation, but selling high on a reliever wouldn’t be the absolute worst thing in the world, depending on what you got back. These guys have shelf lives shorter than NFL running backs.

    Reply
    • teufelshunde4

      12 years ago

      If you think that a trade featuring Jansen as the best piece is going to land Price keep dreaming.

      Reply
      • thegrayrace

        12 years ago

        Jansen is practically at Kimbrel’s level, and under team control for several more seasons. He could absolutely be the best piece in a deal to land Price. But the Dodgers won’t trade him, so the point is moot.

        It would, however, open up the opportunity for the Dodgers to add someone like Withrow or Dominguez in a trade for Price (in addition to Zach Lee, Julio Urias and Joc Pederson).

        Reply
      • Anthony Hughes

        12 years ago

        I am merely speculating. There had been some speculation that the Braves could consider moving Kimbrel soon, even though it’s certainly very unlikely. My point is that relievers don’t age well, most of the time. I’ll put it another way. Which Dodger team would be the most formidable for the next 2 years: a bullpen with Wilson as the closer, and Perez/Withrow/League/Howell/Rodriguez setting him up, and a rotation of Kershaw/Price/Greinke/Ryu/Haren, OR the bullpen as is, but no Price in the rotation? Just taking the next 2 years into consideration, I think the answer to that question is the first option. That said, I realize that obviously you would have to give up quite a bit to get Price. Just saying, if Jansen is a piece that could help you get Price, it’s something that people shouldn’t just dismiss.

        Reply
  7. visionsofsilver

    12 years ago

    Can’t go wrong with a guy like this one a one year deal. Let him try and re-establish his value on a contending team and hit the open market again looking for that multi-year deal.

    Reply
  8. Steven Johnson

    12 years ago

    Still trying to buy that championship, eh? The Dodgers are the NL version of the Yankees 😛

    Reply
    • Knockdown

      12 years ago

      Doesn’t every team technically buy championships? I mean isn’t that what Free Agency is?

      Reply
      • Wek

        12 years ago

        Not the Marlins, they sell them.

        Reply
        • teufelshunde4

          12 years ago

          Funny thing is the. Marlins have a really good player development system historically.

          Reply
      • Wek

        12 years ago

        Not the Marlins, they sell them.

        Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        12 years ago

        Absolutely. The only difference is some teams have a lot more to spend on buying championships. And it isn’t just free agency. The wealthier teams can spend more on development and scouting, and can afford to retain players through arbitration.

        Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        12 years ago

        Absolutely. The only difference is some teams have a lot more to spend on buying championships. And it isn’t just free agency. The wealthier teams can spend more on development and scouting, and can afford to retain players through arbitration.

        Reply
    • Free Palestine

      12 years ago

      Signing Chris Perez to a 1 year deal is the 2013 version of trying to outspend everyone? Or was it the Dan Haren, Juan Uribe, and Brian Wilson signings?

      Reply
  9. rognog

    12 years ago

    Ned loves him some closer reclamation projects. Between Kenley, WIlson, Paco entering every game at least once, Withrow and some projects, the pen seems set, Donny is going to start going to the bullpen with 2 outs in the 4th now.

    Reply
    • dieharddodgerfan

      12 years ago

      Lol, you probably are not far off with Donnie and his bullpen management.

      THAT’S why the Dodgers need to “Donnie-proof” the roster as much as possible. If the bullpen is loaded, then it mitigates the risk when Donnie goes crazy and starts dipping in the bullpen too early of goes “lefty-righty” match-up crazy.

      Reply
      • rognog

        12 years ago

        I imagine Paco is taking grounders at 2nd so he can face every guy that even that bats, throws, or opened a doorknob left.

        Reply
        • Free Palestine

          12 years ago

          Not many lefties at 2nd

          Reply
          • rognog

            12 years ago

            nor many relievers playing second. That’s the genius of Donny Bullpen’s plan.

            Reply
  10. markt

    12 years ago

    Perez – 6th
    Withrow – 7th
    Wilson – 8th
    Jansen -9th

    Mix in the 2 Lefties in between 6th – 8th

    Jose Dominguez get more seasoning to control his 101 MPH heater

    If Dodgers get Tanaka to mix with Kershaw and Greinke its checkmate for the rest of the NL with respect to St. Louis

    Reply
    • dc21892

      12 years ago

      They have basically the same team as last year.

      Reply
      • Seamaholic

        12 years ago

        Except a year older.

        Reply
      • mrcourt123

        12 years ago

        The same team that won 92 games after an abysmal first two months, and won the division by 11 games. And the same team that only got 73 games out of Kemp, 86 out of Hanley, 104 out of Puig, and 116 out of Crawford, and missed 6 Greinke starts. If this team stays healthy, and that’s a BIG if, it’s World Series or bust.

        Reply
        • dc21892

          12 years ago

          Banking on some huge “if’s” there aren’t you

          Reply
          • mrcourt123

            12 years ago

            Well, that’s why I said “that’s a BIG if.” But if last year’s team won 92 games, healthy seasons from half the guys in my list could put them at 100 wins. If everything comes together (125+ games out of Hanley and Kemp, and no more broken collar bones), I’d say the Dodgers are certainly capable of winning 100+ games.

            Reply
        • teufelshunde4

          12 years ago

          Look the the division they played in. Wasnt like their were 3 or 4 legit division contenders the Dodgers beat out.

          Reply
    • Revery

      12 years ago

      The Dodgers: The only thing in the world to get a Cubs fan to root for the Cardinals/ I am obviously jealous and cannot wait until 2019 when the Cubs can spend the same way-ish.

      Reply
    • Revery

      12 years ago

      The Dodgers: The only thing in the world to get a Cubs fan to root for the Cardinals/ I am obviously jealous and cannot wait until 2019 when the Cubs can spend the same way-ish.

      Reply
  11. markt

    12 years ago

    Perez – 6th
    Withrow – 7th
    Wilson – 8th
    Jansen -9th

    Mix in the 2 Lefties in between 6th – 8th

    Jose Dominguez get more seasoning to control his 101 MPH heater

    If Dodgers get Tanaka to mix with Kershaw and Greinke its checkmate for the rest of the NL with respect to St. Louis

    Reply
  12. James McAllister

    12 years ago

    Talk about adding some bullpen depth. The risk on these signings isn’t very high, but the outcome could be a shutdown bullpen, innings 7-9.

    Reply
  13. James McAllister

    12 years ago

    Talk about adding some bullpen depth. The risk on these signings isn’t very high, but the outcome could be a shutdown bullpen, innings 7-9.

    Reply
  14. dodgerfan 3

    12 years ago

    but………….we have league

    Reply
  15. dodgerfan 3

    12 years ago

    but………….we have league

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    AL Central Notes: Thomas, Ragans, Lynch, Cobb

    Padres To Activate Yu Darvish On Monday

    Rhys Hoskins Suffers Grade 2 Thumb Sprain, Headed To IL

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Rays Sign Peter Strzelecki To Minor League Contract

    MLB Announces 2025 All-Star Rosters

    Pirates Re-Sign Yohan Ramírez, Release Peter Strzelecki

    Diamondbacks Place Pavin Smith On IL, Select Tristin English

    Details On Bryan Reynolds’ Limited No-Trade Protection

    Tigers Select PJ Poulin

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version