Less than 24 hours after the 2013 MLB season officially ended, the Indians announced their first move of 2014.
Closer Chris Perez has been released.
That didn't take long.
Perez had a history of being very critical of fans and ownership over the past few years, leaving many to assume that his behavior played a big factor in his release.
"I think we just worked through to the point in the offseason where we realized Chris wasn't a fit on our team moving forward", Indians GM Chris Antonetti said in a press conference on Thursday. "He's eligible for salary arbitration again this winter and when we looked at our roster, we determined that we're just better served going in a different direction with that position on the team."
The former All-Star closer had 98 saves for the Tribe from 2010-2012, but struggled throughout most of the 2013 season and eventually lose the closer job late in the year. His ERA of 5.60 in the second half of '13, combined with the fact that he was due to make $9 million through arbitration surely had the Indians thinking twice about keeping Perez around. Add in the fractured relationship Perez had with the Indians fan base, his questionable comments about ownership and-- oh yea, the pesky marijuana possesion incident, the Indians made the right decision in letting him go.
Antonetti made no mention of the checkered past with Perez and was complimentary of his time in Cleveland.
"Chris did a very effective job as a closer for us. We're thankful for his contributions and certainly wish him well in his next opportunity."
The Indians have some viable internal options to replace Perez as the team's closer. Antonetti mentioned Cody Allen and Brian Shaw, but said the team will also explore the free agent market for bullpen help.
"I expect it will be an area that we seek to address as we work through the winter," Antonetti said. "Whether it's an experienced closer or other guys who have experience in high-leverage situations to complement the group we have."
One of the strengths of the Indians bullpen over the past few seasons has been reliever Joe Smith. The 29-year-old righty is now a free agent and the Indians will try to work out a deal to bring him back, but he might be out of their price range.
"We have interest in re-signing him, we'd like to bring him back," Antonetti said of Smith. "He's pitched extraordinarily well the past few years so I anticipate he'll have a very healthy market as a free agent."
Other relievers/closers available as free agents this offseason include one-time Indian Edward Mujica, Brian Wilson, Joe Nathan, Grant Balfour, Fernando Rodney and Joaquin Benoit.
