Free-agent pitcher Martin Pérez and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.
Martín Pérez signs a one-year deal with the White Sox
Photo credit: © Orlando Ramirez - USA Today
Jan 8, 2025, 14:45 ESTUpdated: Jan 8, 2025, 14:28 EST
A left-handed starting pitcher is off the market.
According to Fansided’s Robert Murray, the Chicago White Sox and Martín Pérez have agreed to a contract. According to James Fegan of Sox Machine, it’s a one-year deal.
Pérez has been in the league forever, making his debut with the Texas Rangers back in 2012. He spent seven seasons with the Rangers, before ending up with the Minnesota Twins for a year and the Boston Red Sox for two years. Before the 2022 season, he re-signed with the Rangers.
The 2022 season was his career-best year, as he posted a 2.89 ERA and a 3.27 FIP in 196.1 innings pitched, with a 20.6 K% and an 8.4 BB%. Pérez accepted his qualifying offer after the season, remaining with the Rangers in 2023 where he posted a 4.45 ERA and a 4.99 FIP in 141.2 innings pitched. Pérez only pitched 4.2 innings in relief during the postseason as the Rangers won the 2023 World Series.
To begin the 2024 season, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and had a 5.20 ERA and a 4.95 FIP in 83 innings pitched. Before the trade deadline, Pérez was traded to the San Diego Padres where he had a 3.46 ERA and a 4.82 FIP in 52 innings pitched with a 20.3 K% and a 7.8 BB%.
All four projected starters in the Toronto Blue Jays rotation (Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis) are right-handed. Unsurprisingly, the team is interested in adding a left-handed starter, as they’ve reportedly been interested in José Quintana according to Héctor Gómez.
While they were never linked to Pérez’s services, he could have been an option, albeit a suboptimal one as he’s had two pretty rough seasons since his career year in 2022. Quintana remains one of the best lefties on the market, with Andrew Heaney and Clayton Kershaw (who will more than likely re-sign with the Dodgers) being the other two.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
Breaking News
- Report: Blue Jays, John Schneider continuing extension talks this spring
- Blue Jays Nation’s 2026 Pre-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 15: Blaine Bullard
- Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce discusses Spring Training, playing overseas, and the reasons behind his jersey number
- Blue Jays prospect Nate Garkow discusses his journey through baseball
- Blue Jays Nation’s Top 25 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2026: #1 Owen Caissie