Martin Perez returns to Sox on a one-year deal

The Red Sox are bringing back Martin Perez after all.

After declining the left-hander's club option in November, the Red Sox and Perez agreed to a one-year contract for the 2021 season with a club option for 2022, a source confirmed to the Herald. According to multiple reports, Perez will earn $4.5 million in 2021 with a $6 million option for 2022 and a $500,000 buyout.

It wasn't much of a surprise when the Red Sox declined Perez's $6.85 million option on Nov. 1, which cost the team a $500,000 buyout and made the 29-year-old a free agent. But the team will save $1.85 million with his return.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Perez's deal includes several incentives.

In 2021, he can receive $100,000 each for reaching 130, 140, 150, 160 and 170 innings.

It's unclear what kind of market Perez was getting, but it's clear the Red Sox liked him enough in his first season in Boston to bring him back, despite unimpressive numbers. Perez flashed a few times during the pandemic-shortened season, but still finished with just a 3-5 record and 4.50 ERA. Over the last three seasons, his 5.30 ERA is the highest among any pitcher with at least 50 starts, with a 1.54 WHIP that's also last. Still, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom was pleased with Perez.

"We were very happy with what he did this year," Bloom said after the season was over in September. "He came and was very consistent and a great teammate. A lot of positives there."

One thing that can't be denied is his durability, which could prove especially valuable for the Red Sox this season with several of their starters facing question marks. Perez was the only Red Sox starter to make double-digit starts last season (12) and he had thrown at least 165 innings in three of his previous four seasons. With Chris Sale out until at least the summer, Eduardo Rodriguez's uncertainty as he comes back from myocarditis and Nathan Eovaldi's injury history, the Red Sox could certainly use Perez as an innings-eater.

Despite no fans being allowed in the stands last season, Perez was a fan favorite and certainly enjoyed his time in Boston. After his final start last season, he expressed a desire to return.

"I want to be back next season," Perez said. "I feel like at home here."

By signing Perez, the Red Sox' rotation takes some more shape. Rodriguez, Eovaldi, Perez, Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta and newly signed Matt Andriese should all factor into spots to start the season, with Sale's impending return later in the season. There are still plenty of options on the free-agent market, including Jake Odorizzi, Trevor Bauer and Jon Lester, if the Red Sox want to add more.