Headlines

  • A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger
  • Mariners Designate Rowdy Tellez For Assignment
  • Braves To Select Didier Fuentes
  • Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”
  • Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team
  • Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants
  • 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
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • 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

Royals Explored Trades Involving Salvador Perez

By Mark Polishuk | August 1, 2023 at 10:40pm CDT

Longtime Royals catcher Salvador Perez looks to have been an under-the-radar trade candidate heading into the deadline, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted that the Marlins and White Sox each had interest, and the Padres also “checked on” the backstop, as per the Post’s Jon Heyman.  The Marlins might have been relatively closest to making something happen, as The Athletic’s Jayson Stark reports that Perez was “open to” playing in Florida (where he lives), and Miami and K.C. revisited talks this afternoon but a deal didn’t emerge.

On paper, it isn’t surprising that a non-contender like the Royals looking into moving a high-salaried veteran player.  However, the fact that Perez was discussed to even some extent counts as a bit of a surprise, given his longstanding status as the face of the Royals franchise.  In mid-June, Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo flatly denied the possibility of such a move, saying the Royals didn’t “have any intention of trading Salvy and it’s not something we are looking to do,”  and that “he has told us over and over again he wants to be a Royal his whole career.”

Perez is a 10-and-5 player, meaning that he achieved full no-trade protection by achieving 10 years of MLB service time and five years with the same team.  He could’ve therefore vetoed any proposal, but it creates an interesting question of what scenario arose first — Perez telling the Royals he was open to being dealt in the right scenario, or the Royals approaching Perez with any offers received.

Of course, the extent of the talks with any of these three clubs isn’t known, as even the negotiations with the Marlins might’ve been little more than due diligence.  Miami and San Diego both known to be looking for catching upgrades, and given the thin market for quality backstops, it makes sense that each team would at least place a call to Kansas City, even if the chances of a Perez trade might have been remote.

The White Sox are a more surprising suitor, and it seems unlikely that Perez might have agreed to join another AL Central team.  According to Sherman, Sox manager Pedro Grifol might’ve been a factor in trying to bring his old friend to town, as Grifol spent a decade on the K.C. coaching staff before being hired by Chicago.  The White Sox saw Perez as a replacement for Yasmani Grandal, who is a free agent after the season and was surely a trade candidate in his own right as the Sox looked to rebuild, though Grandal was one of the few pending White Sox free agents who wasn’t moved at the deadline.

If Perez and the Royals are perhaps considering parting ways, it adds an interesting wrinkle to the offseason trade market.  Given how badly the Royals have stumbled this season, Perez might feel that the team won’t be able to contend again before his contract is up, so he might be more open to joining a contender for the latter stages of his career.  From the Royals’ perspective, losing the 33-year-old Perez would represent the end of an era in K.C. baseball, but it might be a decision the team is ready to make if it has to reboot what looks like a stalled rebuild plan.

Perez is still owed at least $44MM through the 2025 season ($42MM in salary and a $2MM buyout of a $13.5MM club option for 2026), so he would be a pricey addition for any team.  There is also the fact that Perez is having a down year, hitting .246/.288/.427 with 17 homers (and 89 wRC+) over 396 plate appearances and posting subpar defensive numbers according to both Statcast and Fangraphs’ metrics.  It could be that Perez might be recharged with a change of scenery, or he might simply be starting to wear down after 12 MLB seasons.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Chicago White Sox Kansas City Royals Miami Marlins San Diego Padres Salvador Perez

Dallas Keuchel Opts Out Of Twins Contract
Main
Support Our Trade Deadline Coverage And Go Ad-Free
View Comments (28)
Post a Comment

28 Comments

  1. BombFlorida

    2 years ago

    2/$44 million and you know KC will never cover salary.

    Those conversations were very short.

    Also, why does MLBTR skip discussing defensive stats for players whose defense has fallen off bad? He’s not doing an off-season chat, so be balanced.

    1
    Reply
    • GhostOfKevinElster

      2 years ago

      They did mention defense, you weirdo.

      9
      Reply
  2. joepanikatthedisco

    2 years ago

    Perez has 2 more years after this and I’d be shocked if he didn’t retire a lifetime Royal. He’ll be 35 then, one year older than his contemporary Buster Posey was when he retired in 2021 as still the best hitting catcher in the NL (best in MLB was Salvy, with 48 HR)

    2
    Reply
    • Cam

      2 years ago

      That 48HR season was bonkers

      5
      Reply
      • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

        2 years ago

        He probably drank a lot of V-8 that year

        Reply
    • Cam

      2 years ago

      Royals are probably best to let Salvy play out his last few years there and at least have someone the fans can cheer for. They aren’t going to get much of a return for him via trade.

      He’s basically Rod Barajas at this point. No offence to Rod.

      1
      Reply
      • Classicfinder

        2 years ago

        None taken.

        5
        Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      2 years ago

      This highlights the possibility of Salvy moving to DH and having a great second career. I hope he stays a Royal and has a couple more big ding dong years. 48 again? Probably not. But 30 ding dongs and a .800 plus OPS? Sure.

      3
      Reply
  3. SFBay314

    2 years ago

    Still blown away thinking they would trade him in division. Insane. Don’t do my man like that he has done too much for KC to go in division rival

    2
    Reply
  4. seth3120

    2 years ago

    The Royals fans deserve a franchise icon to hold onto they haven’t had one with this longevity in years. If he goes that team will only see him as what he is(still a good hitting catcher) vs what they traded/paid for him. If he’s a Royal he’s done enough to earn respect for the life of his career. They wouldn’t get a franchise altering package like they would have if they’d traded him years ago I’d say time to stay the course

    Reply
    • Grantastic

      2 years ago

      Alex Gordon?

      Salvy will ok a trade to Miami. JJ just needs work the right package in the offseason and pull the trigger.

      1
      Reply
  5. Goose

    2 years ago

    The Royals are too far away from their World Series years. It makes sense that they would move any veteran and cut any salary if they could. I just wonder if they were gun shy knowing the fans would be upset if they moved Perez and didn’t have something of value to show for it.

    Reply
    • Billy Idol

      2 years ago

      No

      Reply
  6. Kruk's Beer League

    2 years ago

    Please don’t. You just don’t do this. I’m still kinda pissed the Phillies traded Rollins even though it got them Eflin. Salvy needs to be forever Royal.

    On a side note, how much additional WAR do you thick Salvy needs to accumulate to make it to the HOF? 8X AS, WS Winner and WS MVP (in KC!), 4X Silver Slugger, and 5X Gold Glove.

    He might have an outside chance at 2,000 hits if he can extend his career beyond the next two guaranteed contract years and he’ll hit 250 homers possibly eclipse 300 when all is said and done. I’d say he’s closer than a lot of people may realize to getting in.

    3
    Reply
    • MarlinsFanBase

      2 years ago

      He’s in. WAR is not a factor for the Hall of Fame. Look where Salvy compares to other historically great catchers. He’s a Hall of Famer. So is Posey.

      Reply
      • Bjoe

        2 years ago

        Salvador Perez is NOT a Hall of Famer.

        Reply
        • MarlinsFanBase

          2 years ago

          Yeah, having a resume that so far includes 8 All Star Games; 5 Gold Gloves; 4 Silver Sluggers; well on his way to finishing top 10 in HRs by a Catcher; a legit chance to become the 16th catcher with 1000 RBI; and his many other accolades, just wreaks of a guy that’s absolutely not (capital letters for strong emphasis) a Hall of Famer.

          Reply
  7. JoeBrady

    2 years ago

    One would’ve thought the Royals FO would’ve learned from the Merrifield fiasco, where they held onto an asset until he went from 1-2 top-100 prospects to basically nothing.

    I like Salvy well enough, but he has no value any more.

    1
    Reply
  8. User 3595123227

    2 years ago

    The Royals suk. Year in and year out.

    Reply
  9. Guyerbassist

    2 years ago

    Where the hell were the Rangers on this? Instead we get Austin hedges? Even if Perez has fallen off he’s a million times better than hedges

    Reply
  10. Ezpkns34

    2 years ago

    Wait, is Salvador Perez really a draw? Are there legitimately people who say “Eh, I’d rather go to concert tonight, oh wait, Salvador Perez is still playing, nevermind, it’s a Royals night!”

    Surely Kansas City isn’t That boring of a city

    Reply
  11. nrd1138

    2 years ago

    Thankfully its one trade that the Sox didn’t make. I would not be doing any favors for Grifol, especially trading younger players for a guy likely to be retired in a few years (already saw Hahn do that with Dunning for Lynn)

    1
    Reply
  12. kcmark

    2 years ago

    1. He to stop trying to hit every pitch 500 Ft.
    2. He needs to be more selective at the plate (the one at the stadium and the dinner table)

    If you threw a tantrum Salvy would swing at it.

    1
    Reply
    • Larryj

      2 years ago

      Classy comment.

      Reply
  13. Kc smoke

    2 years ago

    Royals are the saddest they’ve been in over a quarter century. Oakland can have this team too, as long as KC gets another expansion team to replace them. Salvy being in trade talks at all makes them even more depressing. They should trade Witt Jr and get a greinke level return and start new. Witt Jr isn’t ever going to win in kc and salvy is their only hope of a lifetime royal in the near future. Witt Jr isn’t going to sign with this dumpster fire of a team even if they throw an entire bank at him.

    Reply
  14. jonzin07

    2 years ago

    The Royals need to fold up shop , they’ll never contend again…….haha, and they want a new ballpark…what a joke, it’s over here in KC, at least we have the Chiefs

    1
    Reply
  15. MarlinsFanBase

    2 years ago

    It’s likely that the Marlins and Royals revisit trade discussions in the offseason. It would’ve been too much for the Marlins to try to get him iin-season. In the offseason, you can make other trades and/or sign free agents to fill the voids caused from trading pieces for a player that would require a package.

    Reply
  16. leftykoufax

    2 years ago

    Salvy is an icon and as solid as they came, He reminds of an old school player who has played through pain when he has too. I hope he retires as a Royal.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Mariners Designate Rowdy Tellez For Assignment

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Recent

    Marlins Select Josh Simpson, DFA Robinson Piña

    Rays Select Paul Gervase

    Cubs DFA Génesis Cabrera, Promote Nate Pearson

    Angels Place Jorge Soler On 10-Day IL With Low Back Inflammation

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Miami Marlins

    Ivan Herrera To Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Jack Flaherty Escalates 2026 Player Option Value To $20MM

    Kyle Gibson Opts Out Of Rays Deal

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Fantasy Baseball: Targeted Streaming for RHPs

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

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman 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
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 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

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version