Perez, Chris

Perez was thought to be the closer of the future for the Cardinals but battled injuries during spring training of 2009 to allow Jason Motte to unseat him in the competition against Ryan Franklin. When Mark DeRosa became available, Perez was sent to The Tribe where ankle problems ended his season.

With the Indians unlikely to compete and Kerry Wood with an $11 million option that vests if he finishes 55 games, speculation has been rife that Perez will become the close sooner rather than later.

Whether Perez will succeed or not if given the chance is another question. There's no question he has the stuff, but as long as he is walking 4.47 per nine (in the majors, it was six (!) in the minors). And he has shown a tendency to give up the long ball. Still, in most formats a potential closer with an obvious possibility for a vacancy is sorely tempting. 3-10-3.50-1.35-75. 60IP