‘I believe in this team’
Fresh off title, Perez explains decision to sign with Pittsburgh
BRADENTON, Fla. — Martin Perez took one look to his right and smiled. He then gazed around the clubhouse at Pirate City and grinned again. Signed this offseason to a oneyear, $8 million free agent contract, it’s clear the 32year-old Venezuelan likes his new digs.
As Pirates pitchers and catchers prepared for their first workout of spring training earlier this week, Perez spoke for the first time on his decision to sign with Pittsburgh following a World Series run with the Rangers, describing why he signed here and what he sees with a young Pirates squad.
“I believe in this team,” Perez said. “Trust me, if I don’t feel good somewhere, I’m not going to be there because money’s not everything. To be here, with this type of group, is an honor for me because I know we can have a good team.”
It’s obvious what the Pirates will be looking for out of Perez, who has pitched in 288 games (making 243 starts) over 12 bigleague seasons, going 85-81 while walking 3.2 per nine innings and striking out 6.3 per nine.
Perez will get the ball every fifth or sixth day and — the Pirates hope — provide stability. They’d also be thrilled if he was able to replicate his performance from 2022, when the lefthander produced a 2.89 ERA, made the MLB AllStar Game, logged 196 1/3 innings and was worth 5.0 wins above replacement, per Baseball Reference.
Things obviously didn’t go as well for Perez in 2023. He had a 4.98 ERA and 5.31 FIP when he lost his rotation spot midseason, the victim of 18 home runs allowed in 108 1/3 innings. But Perez did rediscover himself while working out of the stretch in a bullpen role.
During his last 11 games, Perez pitched to a 1.50 ERA and had a .198 batting average against in 24 innings.
“I know last year was weird for me, but it’s a new year,” Perez said. “We have new goals. Personally, I want to be ready to go out there, make 32-33 starts and help the team win.
“It’s a different organization, but it won’t be hard for me to be ready for what they want or what they’re looking for out of me.”
Pitching-wise, it’s fairly simple.
The Pirates need Perez to pound the strike zone with his sinker and fourseam fastball while ensuring his changeup is more effective than the .316 average and .447 slugging percentage it netted in 2023.
Perez isn’t a high-velocity guy, his sinker averaging just 91.6 mph last season, but he traditionally has had solid control and ability to keep the ball on the ground. They’re factors that should play well at PNC Park.
“I feel good,” Perez said. “The mentality has to be there because it’s a long season. You have to prepare for anything. I’m just gonna be ready for my pitches to feel good and be ready for a new organization.”
Off the field, Perez seemingly has plenty to share from his experience last season, as well as the previous 11 in MLB. Possessing previous relationships with manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin, the Pirates will value the lens Perez can bring.
At the same time, he wants to be careful to not be dictatorial or risk alienating teammates by being bossy or overbearing.
“I just want them to feel good,” Perez said. “I didn’t sign here to be on top of the guys. I don’t like to tell them, ‘This is a rule. I want you guys to do this.’ No, not a big fan of that. I just want them to enjoy the game and enjoy the time in the big leagues.”
Playing alongside Chapman, his teammate for the championship run in Texas, will be “an honor for us, not just me.” Perez also seems to like the young talent the Pirates possess and believes they could be an important tweak or two from figuring things out.
“I’m not coming here to just do my job on the mound,” Perez said. “I’m coming here to try and help my teammates, to let them know how good it is to win a World Series. I just try to bring that mentality to these guys and try to make them better people and better players, to make sure they know how to compete to get to that point.”