default-cbs-image

Cionel Perez, a Cuban left-handed pitcher, signed with the Astros for $2 million on Friday, and in the aftermath, the 20-year-old has a few frustrations with the way things went down.

From Baseball America:

"I am happy to begin my professional career but I feel abused by this system," Perez said in the letter provided by his agency, Octagon, that is addressed to Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association.

Baseball America has the full details on the situation, but some of the basic key points are as follows:

  • Perez originally agreed to a $5.15 million deal with the Astros, but an issue in his left elbow during his physical arose. The Astros voided the original deal and then signed him for $2 million.
  • The Astros signed him to the new deal one day after the Rule 5 draft. Had he been signed before the Rule 5, BA reports he "almost certainly" would have been taken in the Rule 5 draft if the Astros signed him to the new deal earlier.
  • Perez and his agent believe he should have been exempted from international bonus pools. Had that been the case, he could have signed elsewhere after his deal with the Astros fell apart.
  • Since he wasn't exempt, the Astros were charged a $2 million overage tax on him. So the club believes he's a $4 million player and Perez is only getting $2 million.
  • Perez's camp indicates the Orioles were willing to give him $10 million if he were exempted from the bonus pools. Since he is subject to the bonus pools, he has to sign a minor-league deal at a much cheaper rate.

Again, it's a very complicated situation and anyone interested in every last detail should check out the BA article.

In 2013-14, Perez pitched as a 17 and 18 year old in Cuba. In 139 innings, he had a 2.20 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 100 strikeouts against 61 walks. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, he's not a big lefty. Reports indicate he can work up into the mid-90s with his fastball while mixing in a sinker, slider and change.