Cleveland Indians: Time To View Roberto Perez Differently?

Success comes in all forms. In a bit of a surprise, the Cleveland Indians’ backup catcher has been crucial to accomplishing the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

Multiple players have played catcher for the Cleveland Indians this season. Starter Yan Gomes has not been himself all year, even when healthy and despite that has not seen the field. Up until the start of the playoffs, his backup, Roberto Perez also has not been much of a factor in general.

There was no Indians catcher that was able to hit above the Mendoza Line (.200) or was consistent enough slugging-wise to be a force in the lineup during the regular season. With the lack of success, the catcher position for obvious reasons has been viewed as a weakness. Luckily, Cleveland’s offense has picked up the slack.

Besides, a positive impact from the catcher position comes in more ways than a few stats at the dish. Among those ways are players handling a pitching staff, calling a game, but also yes, provide just enough production offensively to help out that part of the game.

Those examples describe Perez’s recent play very well. For good reasons, I, along with many others have been critical of his play. As the season progressed however into the playoffs, things have changed.

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On one hand, it could be due to Perez getting more playing time during very crucial moments. That may be part of it, but overall there is not one sole factor that has led to his success. Perez has simply been the hot hand at his position.

Not only has his hitting improved (.500 average with two home runs and four RBI) substantially, but putting the Tribe’s pitchers in a position to do their job effectively has also been evident. Plenty has been put on Perez’s shoulders, especially defensively.

He has become the best defensive option for Cleveland. Even with issues coming up like starting pitcher Trevor Bauer‘s injured finger and dealing with the lack of starters, Perez hasn’t faltered.

Perez was not the first player to take their play to another level during the postseason. That is especially the case when those players are set to be free agents.

Perez is not going to be a free agent when the World Series ends. However, the thought of Perez’s recent play going forward is tempting to think of the what ifs. Perez is signed through 2016, but he cannot be a free agent until 2021.

When Cleveland extended key pieces of their core, one of those players was Gomes. He is two years older than Perez, but that should not affect any possible moves. It is great seeing how Perez has improved, especially last night in Game 1 when he hit two home runs.

Still, could Cleveland really move on from Gomes for Perez? The Indians need to make sure Gomes eventually gets back to his old self first. That said, Perez is not going to be “the guy” next season regardless of how well he continues to play.

Despite that, the Cleveland Indians and their fans are finally seeing what Perez can do. I cannot say Perez is now a regular season starting catcher, but it is surely starting to look that way.

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Best case scenario in 2017 is that Cleveland has two great options at catcher. What their plans are will eventually be known, but whatever it is, it sure is great to see the improvements he has made.

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