Salvador Johan Pérez Díaz, also known by his nickname, ‘El Nino’ or Salvy’, is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball player. He plays as a catcher for the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on May 10, 1990, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. Perez went to a baseball school in Valencia, where his mother had enrolled him. His potential in school was discovered when he was only six years old. He was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2006 when the catcher was only 16 years old. He played in the Minor Leagues under the Royals from 2007 to 2011. He finally made his debut with the Royals in 2011.
Salvador Perez has quite a few achievements to his name. He is a nine-time All-Star. A World Series Champion in 2015, and the same year, he became the World Series MVP. He also won the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award five times. He had also won the AL Comeback Player of the Year, MLB home run leader, and AL RBI leader awards. Furthermore, he made it to the All-MLB first team two times.
Salvador Perez's Contract
Salvador Perez signed a four-year, $82 million contract extension with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 until the 2026 season, as per Spotrac. The contract is fully guaranteed at $82 million, with an average annual salary of $20.5 million. His contract includes a club option for 2026, which, if not exercised, comes with a $2 million buyout.
Salvador Perez's Contract Breakdown
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Luxury Tax Salary | Tax % | Cash Earnings | Cumulative Cash |
| 2,022 | 32 | Active | $18,000,000 | $20,500,000 | 8.91% | $18,000,000 | $18,000,000 |
| 2,023 | 33 | Active | $20,000,000 | $20,500,000 | 8.80% | $20,000,000 | $38,000,000 |
| 2,024 | 34 | Active | $20,000,000 | $20,500,000 | 8.65% | $20,000,000 | $58,000,000 |
| 2,025 | 35 | Active | $20,000,000 | $20,500,000 | 8.51% | $20,000,000 | $78,000,000 |
| 2,026 | 36 | Club Option | $13,500,000 | $13,500,000 | - | $2,000,000 (Buyout) | $80,000,000 |
| 2,027 | 37 | UFA | - | - | - | $2,000,000 (Deferred) |
How much is Salvador Perez getting paid?
In 2025, Salvador Perez will earn a base salary of $22 million and a total Salary (Luxury Tax Salary): $20 million, as per Spotrac.
How much does Salvador Perez make in a minute?
Salvador Perez will make approximately $41.85 per minute based on his 2025 season salary of $22 million.
Salvador Perez’s Career Earnings
As of 2025, Salvador Perez has earned a total of $129 million in salary, including his signing bonus and yearly earnings throughout his career. Adding his $2 million club option buyout in 2026 and the $2 million deferred payment in 2027, his total projected career earnings will be $133 million (via Spotrac).
| Year | Age | Team | Status | Cash Earnings | Cumulative Earnings |
| 2006 | 16 | - | Signing Bonus | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| 2011 | 21 | Royals | Active | $113,114 | $178,114 |
| 2012 | 22 | Royals | Active | $750,000 | $928,114 |
| 2013 | 23 | Royals | Active | $1,050,000 | $1,978,114 |
| 2014 | 24 | Royals | Active | $1,600,000 | $3,578,114 |
| 2015 | 25 | Royals | Active | $1,850,000 | $5,428,114 |
| 2016 | 26 | Royals | Active | $2,000,000 | $7,428,114 |
| 2017 | 27 | Royals | Active | $9,000,000 | $16,428,114 |
| 2018 | 28 | Royals | Active | $7,500,000 | $23,928,114 |
| 2019 | 29 | Royals | Injured | $10,000,000 | $33,928,114 |
| 2020 | 30 | Royals | Active | $4,814,815 | $38,742,929 |
| 2021 | 31 | Royals | Active | $13,000,000 | $51,742,929 |
| 2022 | 32 | Royals | Active | $18,000,000 | $69,742,929 |
| 2023 | 33 | Royals | Active | $20,000,000 | $89,742,929 |
| 2024 | 34 | Royals | Active | $20,000,000 | $109,742,929 |
| 2025 | 35 | Royals | Active | $20,000,000 | $129,742,929 |
| 2026 | 36 | Royals | Club Option Buyout | $2,000,000 | $131,742,929 |
| 2027 | 37 | Royals | Deferred Payment | $2,000,000 | $133,742,929 |
What are the terms of Salvador Perez’s contract?
Salvador Perez signed a contract with the Kansas City Royals in 2022. It is worth $82 million, and the average salary is approximately $20.5 million. His contract includes an option for a club buyout in 2026, according to Spotrac.
How much of Salvador Perez’s contract is guaranteed?
Salvador Perez’s contract guarantees him a total of $82 million for four years and an average salary of approximately $20.5 million (via Spotrac).
Salvador Perez’s Contract History
Salvador Perez has signed multiple contracts with the Kansas City Royals. His current deal runs through 2026, with a club option for 2026 that includes a $2 million buyout. Below is the table of Perez's contract history:
| Year | Contract Type | Length | Total Value | Average Salary | Signing Bonus | Notes |
| 2006 | Signing Bonus | 1 year | $65,000 | $65,000 | N/A | International Free Agent |
| 2011 | Pre-Arbitration | 1 year | $414,000 | $414,000 | N/A | First MLB contract |
| 2012-2019 | Pre-Arbitration Extension | 5 years | $7,000,000 | $1,400,000 | N/A | Secured long-term deal |
| 2017-2021 | Arbitration Extension | 5 years | $52,500,000 | $10,500,000 | $6,000,000 | Established as top catcher |
| 2022-2026 | Contract Extension | 4 years | $82,000,000 | $20,500,000 | N/A | Highest-paying contract |
| 2026 | Club Option (Pending) | 1 year | $13,500,000 | N/A | N/A | Includes $2M buyout |
| 2027 | Deferred Payment | 1 year | $2,000,000 | N/A | N/A | Part of previous extension |
FAQs on Salvador Perez contract
A. Salvador Perez’s average annual salary is $20,500,000
A. Salvador Perez is committed to playing with the Kansas City Royals until 2026.
A. Salvador Perez has been with the Royals since 2011.
A. Salvador Perez has won the Gold Glove Award five times.
A. Salvador Perez has won the World Series Championship in 2015.
