The Chicago White Sox have reached a one-year, $5 million agreement with veteran left-handed pitcher, pending a physical exam. At 33 years old, He brings 13 years of MLB experience to a White Sox rotation in need of consistency.
He spent the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, making 26 starts and posting a 4.53 ERA over 135 innings.
“Free-agent pitcher Martin Pérez and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a deal, pending a physical, sources close to the situation confirmed,” reported Robert Murray on X (formerly Twitter).
Though Pérez’s performance was steady rather than exceptional, he finished the season strong. After a midseason trade to San Diego, he altered his pitching strategy, increasing his use of changeups and curveballs, which helped him lower his ERA to 3.46 with the Padres.
After a disappointing 41-121 season, the White Sox are in need of dependable innings from their rotation. With Erick Fedde, Garrett Crochet, and Chris Flexen no longer on the roster, Jonathan Cannon is the only pitcher left who made more than 10 starts in 2024.
Pérez’s durability, having made at least 26 starts in each of the last five full seasons, makes him a fitting addition for a team lacking seasoned pitchers.
The White Sox add a veteran to their underwhelming roster
While Pérez may not possess dominant stuff, with his fastball averaging 91.3 mph, he is a reliable innings eater. Over his career, he has pitched 1,575 2/3 innings with a 4.44 ERA and 90 wins. Additionally, he offers veteran leadership to a pitching staff that includes promising, but still unproven, prospects like Davis Martin, Drew Thorpe, Nick Nastrini, and Jairo Iriarte.
For the White Sox, Pérez represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. His one-year deal ensures he won’t stand in the way of top pitching prospects like Hagen Smith or Noah Schultz, who could be ready for a major-league spot later in the season. If Pérez performs well, the White Sox could trade him at the deadline, similar to how the Pirates used him last year, to bring in more assets for their rebuild.
Though Pérez has had his share of ups and downs, he has demonstrated moments of excellence, including an All-Star season in 2022 with the Texas Rangers. He also brings postseason experience from being part of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series-winning squad. His leadership and consistency could prove valuable in mentoring Chicago’s young pitchers as they adapt to the major leagues.
The signing of Pérez is a practical move for a White Sox team focused on rebuilding while staying competitive. Though not a game-changing addition, Pérez offers reliability and flexibility to a rotation in transition, with the potential to provide value both on the mound and as a trade asset.
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