What the Pirates Got in Martin Perez

The Pirates picked up one veteran lefty already this offseason in Marco Gonzales, and now Pittsburgh has another in Martin Perez. The Pirates reportedly signed Perez to a one-year deal, and here’s a look at the team’s latest signing.

A Look at Perez

Last year, Martin Perez looked poised to cash in after a strong season with the Texas Rangers. However, Perez opted to accept the team’s qualifying offer and stick with the Rangers for another season. The 32-year-old’s decision did lead to a World Series ring, but it wasn’t a great season for the veteran.

A year after Perez struck out 169 batters over 196.1 IP, Perez gave up 21 home runs — 10 more than his 2022 total — in 141.2 IP and saw his ERA (4.45), FIP (4.99), and WHIP (1.41) figures jump. Perez’s 5.08 SIERA, for what it’s worth, was the 11th-worst among pitchers with at least 100 IP last season.

The 31-year-old was eventually moved out of the rotation and didn’t make much of an impact with the Rangers in the postseason.

While the 2022 campaign was a career one for Perez, the 2023 season was more like what the left has produced in his career. Perez’s 5.9 K/9 and 1.41 WHIP from 2023 were more or less on par with his career averages (6.3 K/9, 1.44 WHIP).

He’s not a strikeout pitcher, as Perez is a pitch-to-contact arm that relies heavily on pounding the zone with his sinker and trying to jam righties with a high-80s cutter. Perez will break out a curveball when need be, but his out pitch is a low-to-mid-80s changeup with good fading action.

Martin Perez will reportedly join the Pirates on a one-year deal for $8MM, per ESPN.

Perez is the second notable veteran to be acquired by the Pirates this offseason. The Pirates acquired lefty Marco Gonzales from the Braves, who was sent to Atlanta in the Jarred Kelenic deal.

Analysis

This is the second offseason in a row where the Pirates have targeted starting pitching help. Last winter, the Pirates acquired Rich Hill and Vince Velasquez, who made a combined 30 starts last year for Pittsburgh. This year, it’s Perez and Gonzales.

It’s a sensible strategy for the Pirates to look for veteran starter depth, for a few reasons. One, the Pirates simply need it. Pittsburgh entered the winter with only two clear options for the rotation in 2024 — Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo — but Oviedo will miss all of 2024 thanks to Tommy John surgery.

The Pirates do have some young starters in Bailey Falter, Roansy Contreras, Luis L. Ortiz, and Andre Jackson, the latter of whom pitched very well down the stretch. However, reliable depth was needed.

Second, the moves improve the Pirates’ chances to be somewhat competitive heading into 2024.

Realistically, Pittsburgh is still likely one to years away from being a contender. The Pirates have plenty of good young hitters in Ke’Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz, and Jack Suwinski. However, pitching is a sore spot and it likely will be until the likes of Paul Skenes and Anthony Solometo make it to Pittsburgh.

But at the same token, the Pirates need to move forward with their rebuild. Staying in games matters, hence why it makes sense for the Pirates to target two pitchers that won’t cost much in the long term and have been effective in the past.