MLB fans vie for Salvador Perez after rumors of trade offer confirmed for decorated catcher

For his entire 11-year MLB career, Salvador Perez has competed in a Kansas City Royals uniform. The winner of five Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers, Perez is noted for his defensive prowess and offensive acumen.

Currently hitting .275/.310/.513 on the season with 14 home runs and 37 RBIs, Perez has been one of the few bright spots in what has otherwise been a very underwhelming season for the Kansas City Royals.

With a record of 18-48, the Royals are currently dead last in the AL Central as well as the entire MLB. With the season heading nowhere fast, some outside observers thought that maybe the Royals might be interested in trading the 33-year-old Salvador Perez to acquire some more future-oriented talent.

"The Royals are apparently not shopping Salvador Perez, but at least one team has come calling" - Talkin' Baseball

On June 13, Kansas City Royals GM JJ Picollo shared that although his organization has given no signal that it wants to move Perez, at least one team has contacted the team regarding the Venezuelan.

Fans were quick to guess the mystery party in question, some with hopes that it was their team:

In 2021, Salvador Perez hit 48 home runs and 121 RBIs, enough to lead the MLB in both categories. His power-hitting ability coupled with laser vision behind the plate would make him a desirable piece for any team. Fans certainly thought so too:

Under the four-year, $82 million contract that Perez signed with the Royals last season, he is under contract in KC until 2025, with another year possible by virtue of a team option. However, after so many years playing in one market, fans may not be so willing to part ways with "Salvy."

Salvador Perez will likely finish his career in Kansas City

While things have indeed taken a turn for the worst in Kansas City, the team was not always so dismal. In 2015, Perez was named the World Series MVP after hitting .364 against the New York Mets to capture the team's first World Series in 30 years.

Although the team is 15 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, it will take more than a few poor seasons to convince KC fans that trading Perez is the way to go.

In all likelihood, the strapping Venezuelan catcher will remain a KC Royal until the day that he finally decides to hang up his catcher's mitt for good.