Astros Trade Hypothetical: Club should target Salvador Perez

Why not Salvador Perez?

Ladies and gentleman, I give you Salvador Perez.

First, it makes as the Royals have all but admitted that they are in a full on rebuild mode. Trading off Kelvin Herrera, Mike Moustakas, and Joakim Soria in 2018 and allowing Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain walk in 2017. They only have Alex Gordon and Perez as the only key members of the 2015 World Series roster.

The Royals have also shed so much player payroll, that they now rank in the bottom-ten of major league franchises, according to Sportrac. Of the top players, Perez makes up only $11 million of that payroll, with three more years on his current contract.

So why does all that background matter? Well, mainly to validate to myself that this could possibly happen. More so, however, it lays the ground work for the trade scenario.

Stat wise, Perez is a specimen all his own.  Entering his ninth season in the majors, Perez has been named an All-Star six times. Less than three months away from turning 29-years old, Perez is also a five-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger.

Perez, lately, has traded his contact for more of a power swing, as he now sits at a .260 AVG but averages 20+ home runs per season. His OPS and OBP hover around the .710 and .440 area, respectively.