Martín Pérez spent nine of his 12 MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers. According to Robert Murray of Fansided, the left-hander has agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Free-agent pitcher Martin Pérez and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 18, 2023
Martín Pérez Signs with the Pirates
In his first 16 starts, Perez was 7-2 with a 4.28 ERA. During the first three months of that stretch, he was inconsistent from time to time. He allowed 13 home runs while striking out 60, walking 30 and allowing 43 runs. In his four starts in July, those numbers went up to 17 earned runs on 26 hits including five home runs and 11 walks. That is compared to nine strikeouts in 18 innings. Those were the last starts Perez made before being relegated to the bullpen for the rest of the reason and the Rangers’ World Series run.
Perez accepted a qualifying offer from the Rangers last offseason following his surprising 2022 campaign. But as noted, he continued to repeat that performance in 2023. Perez collected a 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 93:49 K:BB over 141 2/3 frames. He even posted one of the lower ground ball rates of his career at 45.5 percent.
What the Signing Means for Pittsburgh
The Pirates took a step forward last season. They have been busy this offseason as they hope to make another positive stride in 2024. Pittsburgh finished in last place in the National League Central in 2022 with 62 wins. They finished fourth in the division in 2024 as they won 14 more games with 76 wins. Despite finishing below .500, they continue to make ground in the standings. Pérez may not be a big fancy signing, but the former All-Star will help a young Pirates team. He will immediately help the Pirates’ rotation too.
Photo Credit: © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
