THE PRESENT: Former Mud Hen Timo Perez recently signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.
THE PAST: Perez began his pro career in Japan before coming to the United State in 2000. He played with the New York Mets from 2000-03. He was traded to the White Sox in 2004 and played for two seasons in Chicago before joining the St. Louis organization in 2007 and splitting time between the Cardinals and Triple-A Memphis. Perez played for the Mud Hens in 2007, batting .309 with 13 homers and 69 RBIs, and in 2008, when he hit .302 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs. Perez also saw action with the Tigers in 2007, hitting .389 in 29 games. He bounced around the minors before last season, when he rejoined the Mud Hens and hit .304 in 122 games and finished with six home runs and 50 RBIs. After the season, MLB suspended Perez for 50 games because he failed a drug test during the season.
THE FUTURE: This might be the best possible situation for Perez because of his suspension. Perez will see action as a DH for the Ducks and will be an attraction for the team, since he is a former New York Met playing on Long Island. The suspension will likely keep him from returning to organized ball: Since he has to sit out 50 games, and most minor league teams have only 50 games left, it’s practically impossible for him to become eligible before the season ends.
Click here for a more complete analysis of Perez following last season. Click here to read about the suspension Perez received from MLB.
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