The White Sox continue to re-align their roster for 2025, as veteran left-hander Martin Perez will join the team on a one-year deal. Perez comes to Chicago after a strong run with the Padres. Now, he’ll look to provide support for a very different looking White Sox rotation in 2025.
A Look at Perez
While Martin Perez didn’t excel with the Pirates in 2024, the 33-year-old left-hander did quite well after a midseason move to the Padres.
Perez, who owned a 1.65 ERA and 5.20 ERA with the Pirates over 83 frames, struck out 44 over 52 innings with San Diego after the Padres acquired him in July. The peripherals, a 1.21 WHIP and 3.46 ERA, were much better out west.
The 33-year-old isn’t a strikeout pitcher by any means. Perez liberally works with a two-seamer, more of a runner than a sinker, coupled with a cut fastball that he’ll regularly work in the zone. The new White Sox left-hander has a cutter with significantly high IVB (12.2”), making it a very difficult pitch to barrel up.
Additionally, Perez will work with a curveball and changeup. The changeup isn’t a plus pitch, although it did have above-average run on it in 2024. Rather, it’s a low-80s offering that works well off his sinker.
Numbers from Perez have been all over the place for Perez over the last three seasons, not a shock given he’s a pitcher who likes to induce contact, rather than get whiffs.
Two years ago, the ex-Ranger won 12 games and posted a 2.89 ERA for Texas. The Rangers qualified him after the 2022 season and he accepted. However, his 2023 (4.45 ERA, 93 K over 141.2 IP) numbers were not near his performance from the year earlier.
Per reports, Martin Perez will receive $5MM on a one-year deal with the White Sox.
Analysis
It’s the second notable move the White Sox have made to shore up their rotation in the last month. Back in December, Chicago (AL) signed Bryse Wilson, a reliever with the Brewers but an arm with starting experience, to a one-year deal.
The White Sox need the veteran depth, especially with Garrett Crochet out of town. As of now, the Sox’s tentative rotation includes Perez, Wilson, Drew Thorpe, and Jonathan Cannon, with youngsters Ky Bush, Nick Nastrini, and Rule 5 draft pick Shane Smith among the other options.
Is it a sexy move? No. But, Perez is a proven arm with starting experience who is a pitcher, not a thrower. The lefty likes to change speeds and get ground balls.
Perez is a good contender to be moved come the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, as the White Sox likely won’t be in contention for a playoff spot.