Relief pitcher Joel Peralta agrees to terms with Tampa Bay Rays – MLB News
There is a reason why relief pitcher Joel Peralta decided to turn down couple of very good offers this offseason. The 37-year-old has given some impressive performances in his two years tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays. He also shares a great relationship
with the Rays’ Manager Joe Maddon.
Peralta had one of the finest seasons of his career last year as he made 76 Major League appearances. Striking-out 84 batters with an exceptional 3.63 ERA, he created all sorts of problems for the American League hitters. He is Rays’ most consistent pitcher
over the last couple of years. Leading the league with 147 appearances in two years, it is easy to understand why the Rays offered him a lucrative contract at the end of the season.
"We love Joel's competitiveness and the impact he has on the younger pitchers in our bullpen," Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "He has been an integral part of our late-inning success and has proven that he can
get big outs in the American League East."
"It's not just one thing, it's many things," Peralta said when news broke that he had re-signed with Tampa Bay.
"Some teams offered a little bit more money, but I got what I thought I was worth and I was happy with it," Peralta added. "I didn't want to go anywhere else."
The Rays announced the terms of the contract Tuesday last week, revealing that Peralta will be making $6 million in the first two years of the contract. The right hander will also be eligible for club options for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Add that to the two
years he has already spent with the Rays, he could spend seven years in Tampa Bay. The three option years will give Peralta $2.5 million each with no buyout option. Peralta will be 42 when he completes the third year option.
Tbo.com reports that Peralta had been in talks with five other Major League Baseball teams. Two of them offered him more than the Rays. However, since he loves the Rays, he decided to continue playing for them.
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