Jhonny Peralta signed through 2010 with 2011 club option

[Mattingly]

I'm curious how you folks feel about this. Good security knowing that he'll be around for awhile?

Indians lock up Peralta through 2010 with '11 club option

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Jhonny Peralta and the Cleveland Indians both got the security they sought Friday when the shortstop agreed to a $13 million, five-year contract with a club option for 2011.

Peralta emerged as one of the top offensive shortstops in baseball last year, his first full season in the major leagues. He batted .292 with 24 home runs and 78 RBI in 141 games -- setting a franchise record for homers by a shortstop with one more than Woodie Held hit in 1961.

"I think I can do even better this season," Peralta said. "I feel much more comfortable."

An ecstatic Peralta said he now can support his parents comfortably in retirement.

[MrUniverse09]

it's a steal. I dont know why these young players sign for such a low rate here at Cleveland. Security, I guess. But I'm thinking that Victor and Jhonny could definitely command more money than they're making on the open market.

[BoofBonser26]

It's awesome news. Now we've got C.C., Hafner, Martinez, and Peralta long-term. That's a core. Give the same type of deal to Sizemore, and waaaaaaaay down the road to Garko and Marte...things are lookin' good.

[Mattingly]

Yeah, it is a steal. I was thinking that I'd misread when I'd seen his stats (which I'd known something of) then saw the dollar figure. He'll make almost $6m less in *FIVE* seasons that a certain other AL SS (wearing the same #2) does over *ONE*. Gotta love it.

We'll, he's still got that "aw shucks" type of down-home attitude that he can now support his parents. In a way, that's not such a bad thing nowadays. That he feels he can improve upon his 2005 performance would be icing on the cake to me!

For him, I'm sure he'd have done quite well on the open market, especially among contending teams bickering for his attention.

[sschirmer]

I'm pumped about this. The front office got the job done on this one!