Moderatoren » Roberto Perez waited for his turn and vows to make the most

GOODYEAR Nick Castellanos Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — of his big chance.Perez figures to get plenty of time behind the plate for the Cleveland Indians after the AL Central champions traded All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington.The 30-year-old Perez is eager to get going.“I’m very excited,” he said. “It was something I’ve always wanted. I knew Yan was the guy but now that I have the opportunity, I’m going to take advantage of it.”Perez arrived in July 2014 from Triple-A after the Indians moved Carlos Santana to first base. Perez was promoted to take advantage of his defensive skill and the next season led the major leagues by throwing out 16 of the 41 runners attempting to steal — that 39 percent rate was tops among catchers with at least 40 tries.Although he hasn’t hit much in his career, with a .205 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 99 RBIs in 285 games, Perez was known for handling Cleveland’s young, talented pitching staff.“The biggest thing is defensively and running the game, getting the right fingers down,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He can get the pitchers through not just the easy part but the difficult parts. He is extremely prepared for that.”“We all feel with regular at-bats, he’s going to hit better,” he said. “Even if he doesn’t hit like Gomes http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-james-mccann-jersey , we still believe in the way he runs the game. That’s first and foremost as a catcher.”Francona’s statement takes the pressure that Perez felt at the plate in spite of his two-homer performance in the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, playing in all seven games. Perez has four home runs in the postseason.“Playing once a week is tough,” Perez said. “There are no excuses, but this game is hard even for the guys that play every day.”“When I was behind Yan, I would play once or twice a week. It is easier when you know you’re going to play the next day. You can make adjustments. You can go 0 for 4 and you can say I’ll get them the next day instead of trying to get three hits in one at-bat.”To improve his batting eye, Perez went to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. He hit .333 for Licey in 24 games with four doubles, a home run and 11 RBIs.There is more of a burden on him to help the team offensively after Yonder Alonso was traded to the Chicago White Sox and Edwin Encarnacion was sent to the Seattle Mariners. Francisco Lindor, who had a big offensive year, is an early question mark with a right calf strain that will keep him out seven to nine weeks.The Indians are trying to rebuild a bullpen that lost closer Cody Allen to the Angels and Andrew Miller to the Cardinals through free agency.Perez will have to prepare reliever Brad Hand for a new role and work in nonroster pitchers such as Alex Wilson. The good news for Perez is that aces Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are still a couple locker spaces away.“I’m just happy they both never got traded,” Perez said. “We have our rotation intact. They’re fun to watch when I was on the bench. They’re fun to catch.”“I’m excited to have the opportunity to be behind the plate for them all year. I’m looking forward to them having great years.” BALTIMORE (AP) — Brandon Hyde began watching video of the Orioles immediately after becoming Baltimore’s manager in December.He phoned several players to chat Shane Greene Jersey , and last month got a close look at a portion of his squad a minicamp in Sarasota, Florida.“It’s been a real get-to-know process,” Hyde said.There will be more introductions next week in Sarasota when Hyde, the former bench coach of the Chicago Cubs, oversees spring training for a rebuilding team coming off a 47-115 season.“I’m familiar from video. I know their stats and where guys played last year and I’ve seen some play in the past,” Hyde said. “I was in the National League Central, so I don’t know all the players that well. That’s what’s the next two months is going to be about.”Sluggers Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo, along with starting pitchers Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb, are among a handful of veterans poised to make the 25-man roster. Nothing else is certain for a team in the midst of a major overhaul under Hyde and first-year general manager Mike Elias.“This is a development deal, and we’re going to put guys in position to have success Sparky Anderson Jersey ,” Hyde said. “But right now, if you asked me to pick 25, I’d be lying to you if I said I had it nailed down.”The hope is that spring training brings clarity to the situation.“I think it’s the most important piece as we’re getting going,” said Tim Cossins, hired in January as major league field coordinator. “The days down there will cement things going forward.”Elias did not secure a major league free agent until right-hander Nate Karns agreed to a one-year deal on Thursday. Despite the lack of offseason activity, Elias is fine with what he’s got heading into the first workout on Feb. 13.“We’re going to have what we need to work with, in terms of putting together a team and competition for spots,” Elias said.Some things to know about the new-look Orioles:NEW LOOKA year ago, Baltimore carried playoff aspirations into camp with a roster containing Manny Machado, Adam Jones http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-jack-morris-jersey , Zach Britton and Kevin Gausman. Now they’ve got a bunch of fresh faces, many with very little big league experience. Hyde has until late March to find out if guys like DJ Stewart, Richie Martin, Drew Jackson and Hunter Harvey have what it takes to start in the majors.ROOKIES TO WATCHOutfielder Yusniel Diaz, the highly touted prospect obtained from the Dodgers for Machado in July, probably isn’t ready to play in the majors. But he should be the most interesting rookie in camp, because the 22-year-old has the potential to be a future star. The oft-injured Harvey was the Orioles’ top draft pick in 2013 but has yet to make his Baltimore debut.THEY’RE SETEven though Davis is coming off the worst year of his career (.168 batting average, 192 strikeouts), he’s poised to start at first base. Trumbo is the DH, Cedric Mullins will start in center field and Trey Mancini should start in left. Count on Jonathan Villar to play at one infield spot Michael Fulmer Jersey , either shortstop or second base.THEY’RE NOTThe competition for starting catcher, third baseman and right fielder is wide open. The rotation is cloudy beyond Cashner, Cobb and Dylan Bundy, and Mychal Givens will get the first look as the likely closer, despite going 0-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 2018.ON DECKAnything goes as Hyde prepares a roster for the regular season opener March 28 at Yankee Stadium. “Spring training is going to be really competitive,” Mancini said, “and it’s going to be an extremely important time for us to get better.”