Royals' Perez would still be 'happy' if new deal doesn't materialize

By foxsports
Published

A few weeks ago, it came out that the Kansas City Royals were 'quietly' trying to re-work their contract with catcher and World Series MVP Salvador Perez. 

Perez, 25, is signed to a very team-friendly deal and the club is reportedly interested in extending his deal with terms a bit more appropriate for one of the league's most respected backstops. 

This weekend, the Royals hosted their annual winter Fan Fest event, and Perez was among the players that took part in the festivities. 

Perez addressed the contract talks in a chat with the media, and he confirmed that yes, he and his agents have discussed the idea of a new deal. However, as quoted by Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star, Perez isn't too concerned about it either way:

"That’s why I’ve got my agent. I’m going to talk to him. If something happens, great. If not, I’m still happy.”

The five-year, $7 million deal Perez signed in 2012 includes three club options totaling $14.75 million, meaning he could earn up to $21.75 million by the course of the contract. Of course, given his value to the Royals and the market rate for upper-echelon players, that seems like a pittance. 

As quoted by Dodd, Perez rationalized signing such a small deal back in 2012, and according to him it had a lot to do with his background as a young player coming over from Venezuela: 

“Where we’re coming from, it’s hard. It’s hard because we know about money, but we don’t have good houses in Venezuela. My mom didn’t have a really good job.

“When they give you an opportunity, for your life, to be safe, to try to move here, I think you look around at what you had before, and say you have to do it.”

In 2015, Perez hit .260/.280/.426 with 21 home runs and a WAR of 2.2 en route to a third straight All-Star appearance and Gold Glove award.