[illeracula]

Friday - June 21st, 2019
We received an email from Roberto Perez notifying us that Roberto Perez has agreed to our deal.

3B Roberto Pérez: Contract Signed: After discussing it with my family, I think I'm going to sign your offer and play for Norfolk. I look forward to remaining a member of the Cavaliers. See you on the field!

Roberto Pérez

This deal was a shock to the owner and front office, even me the GM, who offered him the deal. After talking Perez 2 times before I was certain he wasn't going to budge from his 9 year/19 mill per demand. So I had a discussion with his agent and said, "Look we really want Roberto here, but there is no way we can meet his demand." So I have him an offer, which I thought was somewhat of a low-ball offer, one I never really thought he'd sign. I decided to continue to talk with Roberto for 2 reasons 1) good faith and 2) he is an all-star.

Our offer 7 years. Years 1 through 5 $16,000,000 per, year 6 $17,000,000 and the final year, a player option for $18,000,000. I came in a lot lower and 2 years less, and it worked out. Maybe its because he owns a night club in Norfolk, maybe his family is happy with the schools, maybe he just likes winning and winning is what we have done ever since he has been here. Whatever the reason, he agreed and it shocked us, and it pumped up the fans!

The official press release followed later in the day:
Pérez Signs for 7 years: Team officials triumphantly announced that the Cavaliers and superstar third baseman Roberto Pérez have closed a deal that keeps the 29-year-old in a Norfolk uniform for another 7 years. Pérez will earn $115,000,000 as part of the settlement. Currently Pérez is batting .317 with 10 home runs, 43 RBIs and 66 runs scored.

Perez had been an awesome asset for us, since he joined the Cavaliers mid-season in 2015. He is a great team leader and a great example to the young guys. Perez is constantly one of the first players at the stadium and one of the last ones to leave. The Cav's traded for him because their lineup lacked an offensive player that other teams would "fear". He has power and speed and all he has done since joining the Cav's is bring home 2 MVP awards and put up 2 30/30's. You can't go wrong with having him on your team.

The signing of Perez may end a flurry of long-term deals that will tax the budget in 2022 and 2023. The best part is its still 3 years away, the worse part is having to trade one of big-name guys, such as Perez or Jeff Lewis. At least we have 2 years to think about it.

We would like to join the fans in giving Roberto Perez a big congrats on signing this deal!