Relief pitcher Joel Peralta re-signed by Tampa Bay Rays – MLB Update
Relief pitcher Joel Peralta has always loved to be a part of the Tampa Bay Rays. On many occasions, he talked about his relationship with the club and manager Joe Maddon. According to www2.tbo.com, Peralta’s new contract could keep him in Rays’ uniform longer
than any relief pitcher in history of the club.
Last week, Rays made an official announcement that they have re-signed Joel for the next season. The two year $6 million contract will also come with club options for 2015, 2016 and 2017. If Peralta does stay in Tampa Bay for next five years, he could end
up spending seven years with the team.
The 37-year-old will be making $3 million each year for the first two years of the contract. Plus, he will be entitled to the three years option years for $2.5 million with no buyouts. Peralta will be 41-years-old when he reaches the third option year.
"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 out that he had re-signed with Tampa Bay.
Peralta had not revealed his plans for the next season until Tuesday last week. In an interview two weeks ago, he stated that he was in talks with five other Major League Baseball teams. According to tbo.com, two teams offered him more money than the Rays
but he turned them down because he wanted to stay in Tampa Bay.
The right hander made 76 appearances in 2012, striking-out 84 batters with an excellent 3.63 ERA. Leading the league with 147 appearances over the past two years, he is one of the most consistent and reliable pitchers in the game.
It will be interesting to see if the right hander can continue the good work in the next season to help the Rays win the American League East Division title.
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