Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Chris Perez by agreeing to a one-year, $7.3 million contract.

It's the third of four arbitration years for Perez, who made $4.5 million last season. He saved a career-high 39 games while making the All-Star team for a second straight year in 2012. The right-hander will return as the club's closer in 2013 but is a trade candidate.

Chris Perez has committed to pitching for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The fire-balling 27-year-old reliever recorded 39 saves while posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP during the 2012 campaign. With Joe Nathan also expressing possible interest in playing for Team USA, it seems likely that Perez will be used in a setup role as opposed to the ninth inning.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti indicated Friday that despite the recent additions to the bullpen, Chris Perez is expected to remain as the team's closer in 2013.

That still assumes that Perez is with the team at the start of the season, which is far from a certainty. Should they decide to trade Perez, Vinnie Pestano or Bryan Shaw would be the most likely candidates to assume the role.

Chris Perez ripped Indians ownership in a recent interview with FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi.

"[The Tigers] are spending money," said the bombastic Cleveland closer. "He (Tigers owner Mike Ilitch) wants to win. Even when the economy was down (in Detroit), he spent money. ... Josh Willingham would look great in this lineup. [Our ownership] didn't want to [pony] up for that last year. That's the decision they make, and this is the bed we're laying in." Perez sounds like a guy who badly wants to be traded. And he could get his wish.

Chris Perez shut down the Red Sox on Saturday night, allowing just one hit in his one inning of work while earning his 31st save of the season.

That's two strong outings in a row for Perez after a pair of epic blown saves last week. While he isn't the prototypical shutdown closer, he's more than capable of succeeding in the role and should make a push toward 40 saves before the season is over.

After a pair of colossal blown saves, Chris Perez rebounded nicely on Thursday, retiring the Red Sox in order to earn his 30th save of the season.

While Perez's job was never in serious jeopardy, had he blown a third consecutive chance there may have been rumblings of making the switch to Vinnie Pestano. As it stands, Perez has now converted 30-of-34 chances on the season while posting a 3.89 ERA and 46/11 K/BB ratio over 40 2/3 innings.

Chris Perez blew his second straight save opportunity, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning in Tuesday's loss to the Twins.

He entered the game with a 4-3 lead, and retired the first hitter before Josh Willingham singled. Darin Mastroianni pinch-ran and stole second base, then came around to score as Casey Kotchman made a critical error on a ball hit by Justin Morneau. The error surely didn't help keep Perez's emotions in check, as he proceeded to allow a double, sacrifice fly, single, single and walk to the next five hitters before being removed. While he's still converted 29-of-33 save chances on the season, Vinnie Pestano has been incredible this season and provides them with a strong alternative the next time a save chance arises.

Chris Perez melted down in Sunday's 10-8, 10-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing a season-worst five runs on three hits, two walks and a home run.

The home run was a two-run walkoff job from Miguel Cabrera. Both the blown save and loss were Perez's third of the year. He had yet to allow a run in seven innings over eight appearances since the All-Star break. Perez's ERA is now an ugly 3.82, but 11 of his 17 runs allowed have come in just three games. It's not a concern for a closer who's made 43 appearances. Perez's job is safe.

Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Giants have been the most aggressive team looking for relief help.

They've been linked to Indians closer Chris Perez and are evidently in on many other relievers, as well. Morosi also lists the Angels and Cardinals as teams desperately seeking relief help.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Giants have interest in Chris Perez.

Perez, 27, has posted a sparkling 3.06 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings this season as Cleveland's closer. But he's likely to top $7 million in salary arbitration heading into the 2013 campaign and the Indians have a decent group of setup men capable of stepping into the ninth-inning role. It's feasible that a trade could happen this year, whether with San Francisco or another club.

Chris Perez blew his first save since Opening Day in Sunday's loss to the Rays, allowing three runs on four hits in an inning of work.

The only bright side in an appearance where Perez served up both a home run and triple was the fact that he managed to record all three of his outs via strikeout. The nightmare day ballooned Perez's ERA from 2.59 from 3.34, but somehow we doubt the cries for Vinnie Pestano will be quite as loud as they were in April. Perez will represent Cleveland for the second consecutive season in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Chris Perez shut down the Pirates in the ninth inning on Friday, recording his major league leading 21st save in the process.

The out-spoken Indians closer is enjoying a very strong first half of the season, converting 21 consecutive chances since his blown save on opening day. He's been a large factor in the success of the Indians this season and is starting to solidify himself as one of the top tier closers in the fantasy game.

Chris Perez shut the door on the Twins Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning to earn his 12th save.

Who leads the majors in saves? That's right, it's Chris Perez, who is getting it done despite an underwhelming 3.68 ERA.

Chris Perez picked up his ninth save of the season, working 2/3 of an inning against the White Sox on Thursday.

The Indians led 7-3 heading into the ninth inning, and it didn't look like Perez' services would be needed. However, after Dan Wheeler surrendered a two-run homer to Adam Dunn, Perez came on to record two easy outs and pick up his ninth save of the season.

After struggling mightily in his last save opportunity, Chris Perez looked much better against the White Sox on Wednesday, retiring the side in order.

Though his outings aren't always pretty, Perez seems to get the job done more often than not and his job security appears to be growing stronger. Though Vinnie Pestano is also a very capable late-inning reliever, it doesn't appear that he will supplant Perez anytime soon. Perez has eight saves on the young season.

Chris Perez struggled in the ninth inning against the Royals on Tuesday, but escaped with his seventh save of the season.

Perez surrendered a run on a couple of hits in this one, but got Jeff Francoeur to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game. He's now saved seven straight after his blow up on Opening Day, and appears safe in the closer's role for the time being.

Chris Perez allowed the Mariners to load the bases in the ninth inning Tuesday, but he rebounded to pick up his third save.

Perez escaped without surrendering the lead in a 9-8 game, but his inning was a whole lot shakier than Vinnie Pestano's eighth, even though Pestano faced the top of the order and Perez got the bottom. Perez has now pitched four scoreless innings since a disastrous blown save on Opening Day.

Chris Perez blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth by giving up three runs to the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Perez was finally pulled after retiring two of the seven hitters he faced. Vinnie Pestano came in and got a grounder to preserve the tie. Pestano was pretty obviously the Indians' best reliever last year, and he might get a chance to replace Perez as the closer if Perez has any more blowups within the next couple of weeks. Perez owners should definitely be looking to acquire Pestano if they can.

Chris Perez threw a perfect inning Thursday against the Rockies in his Cactus League debut.

He needed only five pitches to complete the clean inning, and, more importantly, felt fine. Perez has been sidelined all camp with a strained left oblique, but he'll make two more spring appearances and should be available for a save opportunity on Opening Day if they both go well.

Chris Perez (oblique) will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Rockies.

Perez was cleared after making it through two minor league appearances with no issues. The Indians' closer initially appeared unlikely to start the season on time following a strained oblique, but now he's right on track.