Robert Pérez Jr. has been traded by the Cardenales de Lara to the Caribes de Anzoátegui ahead of the upcoming season. The move completes a prior transaction involving pitcher Jesús Valles, with team executives explaining that the young utility player needed an opportunity to secure regular playing time elsewhere.
Completing a Prior Exchange With Caribes de Anzoátegui
The front office of the Cardenales de Lara finalized the transfer of outfielder and infielder Robert Pérez Jr. to the Caribes de Anzoátegui, bringing closure to an arrangement between the two clubs. The transaction serves as the final piece agreed upon between both management groups during the previous campaign of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, when the Barquisimeto club acquired right-handed pitcher Jesús Valles.
With this roster adjustment, the Larense squad clears a pending obligation from the earlier deal while adding the final elements to its active roster for the upcoming tournament. The management in Puerto La Cruz confirmed that the 26-year-old player arrives to support the indigenous squad as preparations continue for the season opener scheduled for October.
The Roster Logjam Behind the Decision
Though Pérez Jr. spent more than a decade in the organization’s radar and carries a family legacy as the son of a legendary franchise figure, team leadership concluded that his path to regular playing time in Barquisimeto was blocked. José Yépez, sports manager for the Cardenales, explained the reasoning behind the trade in a direct conversation with reporting from ElEmergente.com.
We made the move to give him the opportunity to play on another team. We think that with us he was not going to have a place to play this year. That’s the reality. José Yépez, sports manager for Cardenales de Lara
The young utility player struggled to find his footing at the plate during his tenure with the Cardenales, recording a .156
batting average across 32
appearances. Team officials noted that expectations had been high for the player to step forward as a core contributor, but the offensive production ultimately fell short of securing him an everyday defensive role.
Tracing the Career Path of Jesús Valles
The player returning to Barquisimeto in the foundational trade, 28-year-old right-hander Jesús Valles, brings an extensive professional background spanning organized baseball in the United States, winter circuits, and independent leagues. Originally signed within the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox farm systems between 2018 and 2022, Valles reached the Advanced A level and accumulated over 280
innings pitched with 184
strikeouts.
Within the domestic league, Valles emerged as one of the most reliable young bullpen arms. During the 2024-2025
regular round, he delivered a 3-0
record with a 1.78
ERA and 1
save across 30.1
frames and 25
outings, earning consideration for the Rookie of the Year honor. After gaining international experience in the Mexican League with the Dorados de Chihuahua and the Major Professional Baseball League with Centauros de La Guaira, Valles reinforced the Cardenales pitching staff during high-leverage postseason moments.
New Horizons and Defensive Versatility in Puerto La Cruz
For Pérez Jr., the transfer opens a fresh chapter after a productive stint in the summer circuit. He recently saw action in the Major Professional Baseball League with the Marineros de Carabobo, showcasing his power at the plate and capturing the home run derby title. Over seven minor league seasons split between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres organizations reaching Double-A, he compiled 87
home runs, 399
RBIs, and a .765
overall OPS.
Pérez Jr. arrives at the organization with the clear objective of providing defensive versatility, offensive capability, and immediate performance from the very first day of action. Otto Padrón, sports manager for Caribes de Anzoátegui
A Family Dynamic Across Rival Franchises
The trade also underscores a unique familial split across the league’s dugouts. The player’s father, Robert Pérez—widely known as La Pared Negra
—serves as a coach for the Larense club. With this transaction, the elder Pérez will watch his two professional sons play for different organizations from afar.
While Robert Pérez Jr. transitions to the eastern club, his younger brother, Hedbert Pérez, remains with the Tiburones de Guaira after signing with the coastal franchise during a period when their father held a coaching role on that team’s staff.
