Salvador Perez is one of the most beloved Kansas City Royals, but some believe that his tenure with the team could be coming to an end shortly.
A feature by Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star that ran on Friday quoted multiple rival scouts who indicated a belief that the Royals could trade away their five-time All-Star catcher.
“If your club was serious about rebuilding, they’d trade the catcher,” said one.
A second scout said that the Royals could expect “multiple top prospects” in a potential Perez trade.
“He’s such a rare find,” the scout elaborated. “Catcher, prime position, made himself into a hitter. Probably a fifth or sixth hitter on a championship team, pop, such a great leader.”
Granted, a trade of the 28-year-old Perez would undoubtedly be a hard pill for Royals fans to swallow. He’s a homegrown Kansas City lifer who has been with the team since being drafted in 2011. Perez has also gone through all the ups and downs with them, including their 2015 title where he won World Series MVP. Moreover, he remains an elite two-way option at the league’s thinnest position and is signed through 2021 on an incredibly team-friendly deal.
That being said, the Royals are a division-worst 22-46 this year with virtually no path to contention for the remainder of Perez’s prime. Some of the other moves they’ve made in recent months have indicated a shift towards a rebuild as well, so Kansas City may have to make the tough decision here with Perez.
