Salvador Perez has spent 15 years as a member of the Kansas City Royals.
As he prepares for his 15th major-league season, Salvador Perez continues to emphasize the same approach that has defined his long and decorated career with the Kansas City Royals: preparation, discipline and consistency.
Despite entering the later stages of his career, Perez remains one of the most respected leaders in the Royals clubhouse. The veteran catcher has built a track record that includes nine All‑Star selections, five Gold Gloves, five Silver Slugger awards and the World Series MVP from 2015, when he helped lead Kansas City to its first championship in decades.
Even with those accomplishments already secured, Perez continues to approach the offseason with the same mindset that helped him become one of the franchise’s most iconic players.
Around the league, maintaining performance deep into a career can be challenging, especially for catchers who endure the physical demands of the position. For Perez, the focus has always been on offseason preparation and maintaining healthy habits that allow him to perform at a high level year after year.
“Sacrifice yourself and work hard in the off season. I think that is the secret, just the way you prepare yourself, the way you eat, think about eating better,” Perez said during a recent appearance on MLB Network when asked about his offseason approach.
The message reflects why Perez has remained productive well into his 30s. While many players see their offensive production decline, the Royals captain continued to contribute in 2025 with solid power numbers. Perez finished the season with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs while posting a .236 batting average, .284 on‑base percentage and .729 OPS across 155 games.
Those numbers reinforced that Kansas City can still rely on Perez as both a middle‑of‑the‑order bat and the emotional leader of the roster.
His continued value to the organization was also reflected in the contract extension he signed last offseason. In November 2025, the Royals agreed to a two‑year, $25 million extension with Perez that runs through the 2027 season. The deal replaced his previous 2026 club option and includes $9 million salaries for both 2026 and 2027 along with a $7 million signing bonus.
The extension ensures that Perez, who has spent his entire career with the Royals, will remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
As Kansas City looks to stay competitive in the American League, Perez’s experience and leadership remain crucial toward helping the team return to the MLB playoffs.