Ex-Twin Perez ‘honored’ to join Red Sox

FORT MYERS — When Martin Perez signed with the Red Sox at the conclusion of the Winter Meeting in December, the team looked drastically different than it does now.

Mookie Betts and David Price were still on the roster. Alex Cora was still the manager. And the team wasn’t under investigation by Major League Baseball.

It would be understandable if Perez had some reservations about his new team, given the different look and different vibe than he expected. But the 28year-old left-hander, who said it’s an “honor” to join the Red Sox, is keeping a positive mindset as pitchers and catchers report here Wednesday.

“It’s not a good feeling,” Perez said, referring to the Betts trade. “But at the same time, we just have to work as a group. We have a good group here and you have to stay focused and do our job and put everything to be there at the end of the ninth, win the games. That’s what it’s all about.”

Without Price in the picture, and still without a No. 5 starter in place, Perez’s role becomes even more crucial within a staff that includes two pitchers in Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi who have serious injury histories. Perez has mostly stayed healthy, making at least 29 starts and throwing at least 165 innings in three of his last four seasons.

But consistency has been an issue. Perez holds a 4.72 ERA over his eight-year bigleague career, which includes a 5.12 mark last season with the Twins. But the Sox see some potential in him and obviously thought he was a low risk worth taking when they went after him early in the offseason, signing him to a one-year, $6 million deal with a player option for 2021.

In many ways, 2020 represents almost a prove-it type year for Perez, and he seems ready for the challenge.

“Just trying to be more consistent,” Perez said. “That’s all I can take from last year, but I think this is a new year, different team, new goals and just get ready. Get ready for pitching and get ready for every five days go out there and enjoy it and give a chance for my teammates and to the team to win. …

“I always want to pitch good, you know. When you throw the ball where you want it, you’re going to have a good result, so I just have to stay focused and I want to pitch good games for the Red Sox organization and for my teammates.”

Perez has shown flashes, and particularly against the Red Sox. He had one of his best starts of the season last September at Fenway Park, throwing six innings and allowing one run in a Twins victory.

He thinks that may have played a factor in the Red Sox signing him.

“I like to pitch at Fenway Park,” Perez said. “I’ve had great games there and I think what I did facing the Red Sox last year, that’s why I’m here and I’m just going to, like I said, put everything together and do my job and win, man. That’s all that’s on my mind. Just trying to do as much as I can to help the team.”

And despite the uncertainty facing the Red Sox, it seems like he’s already believing in this group, even if he’s only been able to get to know them for a short time.

“We’re good, man,” Perez said. “Everybody’s positive and ready to come early and do the work and it’s going to be a great season for us. I feel that and like I said, we have to stay together. It’s not going to be easy because it’s going to be a long season, but I think if we stay together, we’re going to do special things. …

“I think if the players do the job, we’re going to go to October. So everybody has a special thing to do and we’re positive, so that’s special.”