whatever input he has had on player moves

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CLEVELAND -- The Indians closed out their relationship with Chris Perez. Keston Hiura Brewers Jersey . The team released the colorful closer Thursday following a season in which he performed below his All-Star abilities, got arrested and surrendered his job in the final week as Cleveland tried to clinch a playoff spot. Also, the Indians re-signed veteran slugger Jason Giambi, who provided leadership last season along with some clutch hits. A two-time All-Star, Perez spent five seasons in Cleveland. And while he saved 124 games, Perez often was at the centre of turmoil that overshadowed his pitching. He angered Indians fans last season for saying they didnt support the team like they should, and he rankled Clevelands front office by criticizing trades and stating the Indians werent spending enough to win. "We just finished out team meetings and made the determination that Chris was not a fit on our roster," general manager Chris Antonetti said in announcing Perezs release. In June, Perez was arrested after drug agents followed a package containing marijuana to his home in Rocky River, Ohio. He and his wife pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge. Perez, who was never shy about voicing his opinion on any subject, didnt talk to the media for months before breaking his silence on the final day of the regular season in Minnesota when the Indians secured a wild-card berth. Antonetti denied the notion that Perez was a distraction. "I think we were able to handle any issues," Antonetti said. "In the end, we won 92 games with him serving as our closer for the majority of the season." Perez was eligible for salary arbitration this winter, and based on his statistics and was in line for a raise from his $7.3 million salary this year. But Perezs struggles, along with his tempestuous past, resulted in the Indians cutting ties with him a day after the World Series ended. In 54 games, Perez went 5-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 25 saves in 30 attempts. But he scuffled after Aug. 1 as his ERA ballooned to 7.52 ERA and he allowed six runs in his final two appearances. Antonetti said Perez, who had a stint on the disabled list this season with a sore shoulder, is healthy and feels hell bounce back -- just not in Cleveland. "On balance, Chris was a very meaningful contributor to our teams over the last few years," Antonetti said. "He had a tough stretch at the end of the season, but all players go through ups and downs. I think Chris will respond well and pitch well for his next team." After he gave up four runs in the ninth inning of a win over Minnesota late in the season, Perez walked into manager Terry Franconas office and told him he didnt want to cost the team a possible playoff berth. Francona promptly pulled him from the closers role, and there was speculation Perez would be left off the post-season roster. However, Perez was on the active roster for the wild-card loss to Tampa Bay. With Perez gone, the Indians need a closer and will look to fill the spot internally with either Cody Allen or Bryan Shaw, two reliable relievers last year. Antonetti said the club could pursue a closer in free agency, but his preference is to use a pitcher on the roster. Giambi was a consummate team player from the moment he arrived at training camp last spring training, and the Indians were thrilled to have him back. "There is no better way to start our off-season than to re-sign Jason Giambi," said Antonetti. "He made a huge impact on our team last season." The 42-year-old, who was a finalist for Colorados managerial job last year, batted just .183 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 71 games. But it was contributions inside Clevelands clubhouse as a mentor to the teams younger players and a conduit for Francona that helped the Indians get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Giambi also had a flair for the dramatic. He twice became the oldest player in history to hit a walk-off home run. He broke the record set by Hank Aaron on July 29 against Chicago and then bettered his own mark on Sept. 24 with a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth to beat the White Sox, a shot that helped propel the Indians to a 10-game winning streak to end the season. "When you get a guy like that, sometimes it can be once in a lifetime," Franconia said. "Hes changed people in the organization. Hes made me better. Hes made everybody he touches better. Thats a very special person." The Indians signed Giambi to a minor league contract, a deal with minimal risk in case he decides to retire. Cleveland also made a minor trade with San Diego, acquiring left-hander Colt Hynes from the Padres for cash considerations. The 28-year-old reliever spent the second half of last season with San Diego, posting a 9.00 ERA in 22 relief outings. Alex Claudio Brewers Jersey . -- The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday. Hernan Perez Brewers Jersey . Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston Texans No. 1 pick in the draft, was on the field Tuesday for the first time with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year J. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/1169y-jim-gantner-jersey-brewers.html . - The Florida Panthers are getting some Army training to finish off their preparations for the season.Thumbs up to what is now, and, at this rate, will surely be at the end of the season, an interesting and completely wide-open Hart Trophy debate. The NHL reaches the exact mid-point of its schedule on this night of January 10th, and you are hereby invited to cast your vote for the most valuable player….so far. The leading point-getter is Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers, currently a non-playoff team. The leading goal-scorer is Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars, currently a non-playoff team. You want to vote for Sidney Crosby? Thats a debate all its own. A goalie? Same thing, but if youre okay with a goalie, youve got Nashvilles Pekka Rinne or Montreals Carey Price. Defenceman? Nashvilles terrific first half brings Shea Weber to mind. Does Tampa Bays terrific first half bring Steven Stamkos to mind? Perhaps, but you might want to be mentioning Tyler Johnson instead. I give you now the choice that is most easily supported and least likely to bring howls of What? Really?--that is Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf. Seventh in the scoring race, captain of the team that has been at or near the top of the standings much of the way, and especially valuable during the 14 games played without Corey Perry on his right side. -- To Brendan Shanahan, heres a thumbs up, that, until yesterday, was a thumbs down. Im not suggesting that Shanahans meeting with Maple Leaf players and his message to fans via various media interviews contributed directly to the Leafs 17-shot, four-goal first-period explosion against Columbus, but Im not prepared to call it coincidental either. Paul Molitor Jersey. Not until three days after coach Randy Carlyle was fired was Shanahan seen or heard from. He might prefer the background to centre stage, but hes the team president and it is his team. Since being hired last April, he has retained and fired Carlyle, fired and replaced a staff of assistant coaches, and fired and replaced two of general manager Dave Nonis assistants while also adding a player personnel director, never mind whatever input he has had on player moves. Shanahan needs to be out front because hes the only one who can be under the Leafs awkward corporate setup. His boss, MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke, is waiting to be replaced or to leave when his contract expires in June, and is virtually persona non grata when it comes to representing the organization. The owners dont speak to such mundane matters as hockey results because theyre too busy with more important things and with battling each other in those other businesses. Nonis owns the title of general manager and does the work of a general manager, which means he does briefings, but when sermons need to be delivered, its Shanahan who must step forward. ' ' '