Cleveland Indians: Evaluating the Tribe’s upcoming free agents

Oliver Perez – Free Agent

Over the last few seasons, Oliver Perez has been a mainstay in the Indians’ bullpen, but that might be changing in 2021. Turning 39-years old in August, Perez is reaching the end of his now 18-year career and saw limited appearances as the year went on.

After seeing 51 appearances in 2018 and then a jump to 67 in 2019 with the Tribe, Perez was limited to just 21 during the shortened 2020 season. The low amount of games was fifth out of the bullpen for the Indians while his 18 innings pitched was seventh on the team from the pen.

Perez was still effective in the action he saw, maintaining a 2.00 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP, but the lack of usage could spell out what is ahead for the veteran. Cleveland instead opted for younger arms many times from the bullpen, especially as the season went on.

During the series against the Yankees, Perez was used for just a single out, being used in a mop-up role late in the first game of the series. Later in the series when games were close, other pitchers were called on instead of Perez.

There still might be baseball left in Perez, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem like it will be spent in Cleveland. Being a lefty with a strange delivery, there should still be a small market for Perez in free agency, but his time with the Tribe looks to have come to an end.