Utility man Perez joins Cubs on minor-league deal
The Cubs added potential big-league infield depth this week by reaching agreement with former Brewers utility player Hernan Perez on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training.
Perez, 28, has played every position but catcher in his eight-year major-league career, including all four infield positions and both corner outfield spots last season with the Brewers.
Perez has only a .282 career on-base percentage and has had more strikeouts than hits the last two seasons, but he provides middle-infield insurance after the release last month of Addison Russell.
Meanwhile, the Cubs continue to wait out the free-agent market — in particular, third baseman Josh Donaldson’s destination — before joining in with their own trade talks.
Cards, South Korean pitcher agree
Searching for a left-hander to add to their rotation, the Cardinals announced a two-year, $8 million deal with South Korean star Kwang-Hyun Kim, who has spent the last 12 seasons with the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization.
Kim, 31, went 17-6 with a 2.51 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 190„ innings in 2019. In 12 seasons, he had a 3.27 ERA and averaged 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Wyverns posted Kim on Dec. 5, so the Cardinals also will have to pay a posting fee. Kim had been through this process before. The Padres negotiated for Kim in 2014 after bidding $2 million for negotiating rights, but it ended without an agreement, and Kim returned to the Wyverns.
Tigers to honor Whitaker
The Tigers announced they will retire longtime second baseman Lou Whitaker’s No. 1 next season.
In 19 major-league seasons (1977-95) — all with the Tigers — Whitaker hit .276 with 244 home runs and 1,084 RBI. He was a five-time All-Star and won four Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves.
Pirates hire pitching coach
The Pirates hired Oscar Marin to be their pitching coach. He replaces Ray Searage, who was fired in October. Marin, 37, spent last season as the bullpen coach for the Rangers.