The Yankees announced that they have claimed outfielder Eury Perez off waivers from the Nationals. Perez was designated for assignment last week when the Nats claimed Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Twins.
The 24-year-old Perez has a very limited big league track record, as he’s totaled just 13 plate appearances in 22 games with the Nats over the past two seasons. He’s spent most of his time in the Majors as a defensive replacement and/or a pinch-runner. Given Perez’s speed — he swiped 64 bases as a minor leaguer in 2010, 45 in 2011 and 51 in 2012 — it’s not surprising that he’d find himself in such a role.
However, it’s not surprising to see a team express interest in perhaps giving Perez a larger role; he’s slashed .310/.354/.411 in 844 Triple-A plate appearances and is considered to be a plus defender. Baseball America has ranked Perez among Washington’s top 30 prospects in each of the past five offseasons, and their most recent scouting report notes that some scouts give his speed a rare 80 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale.
Should be interesting to see what the Nats get in return for a guy who is out of options and a DFA candidate. He certainly has some value, even though he is unlikely to hit at the big league level. He has great range and speed, and also has a very good arm for a CFer. He was just blocked in DC.
Also, interested to see if he will get a pop in production just by getting an opportunity in the majors. He’s been in AAA for forever… And in Syracuse (probably not much of a Dominican population there)… He had to be miserable. The Nats just always had a better option than him. Good luck to him.
I don’t believe the Nats got anything. The Yankees took him on waivers, just like the Nats took Pedro Florimon. I think that is basically who they get in return. Florimon in, Perez out. Nothing else changes hands.
This is correct.
What? You do not receive anything in return when a player is picked up off of waivers. It’s not a trade. It a player being added to the roster after a contract is negotiated.
You seem to be misunderstanding the comment from HalfSt that I was responding to. (And I don’t know what you mean by your last sentence.)
The Yankees claimed Perez off waivers. That means that he’s theirs, with nothing in return but the waiver fee. The Nats had previously done the same w/r/t Florimon (from the Twins), which is why they needed the 40-man spot.
So, the Nats basically got Florimon in return for Perez, as HalfSt said. In fact, what happened was two separate waiver claims, but the net result for the Nats was like a trade.
Great pick up for the yankees to use as a pinch runner this year in the playoffs
……and in the World Series.
The Yankees seem to be collecting speedsters (Richardson, now Perez). Certainly not their style.
40 man roster, one outlying, exemplary skill–why not?
Considering they used a record number of players on the roster this season I guess they can use all the guys they can get.
The yankees are having a good offseason so far!
Mattingly coming home new bating coach
No, it doesn’t. You don’t trade a 31 year old borderline All Star, Gold Glove caliber outfielder because you pick up a 24 year old, 5 year minor league veteran.