Headlines

  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner
  • Giants To Sign Jake McGee
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Reds Acquire Cionel Perez From Astros

By Mark Polishuk | January 23, 2021 at 11:20am CDT

The Reds have acquired left-hander Cionel Perez in a trade with the Astros, as officially announced on the Reds’ Twitter feed.  Houston will pick up minor league catcher Luke Berryhill in their end of the swap.

The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for the Astros, so the Michael Brantley signing could be officially announced at any moment.  For the second time in two days, the Reds picked up a reliever from a team looking to clear a 40-man spot, after Cincinnati acquired Hector Perez from the Blue Jays so Toronto could accommodate George Springer (whose deal is now official) on the roster.

Perez, 24, has pitched in each of the last three seasons, amassing a 5.74 ERA, 23.1K% and 10.3K-BB% over 26 2/3 career innings as a big leaguer.  Armed with a mid-90s fastball, Perez misses his fair share of bats but control has been an issue — particularly in 2020, when he issued six walks in just 6 1/3 innings of work.  He was a fairly high-profile international signing out of Cuba back in December 2016, but didn’t get much of a consistent look in Houston, as the Astros frequently shuttled Perez back and forth between their active roster and Triple-A (or to the alternate training site, in 2020).

While a small sample size, Perez has been significantly better against left-handed batters (.630 OPS in 39 PA) over his MLB career than against righty swingers (.825 OPS in 78 PA).  The three-batter rule will prevent the Reds from utilizing him as a true lefty specialist, but he does provide some southpaw depth for a Cincinnati team that is heavy in right-handed pitching.  Amir Garrett is the only other left-handed reliever on the Reds’ 40-man roster, so opportunity exists for Perez to win a job in Spring Training.

The Reds selected Berryhill in the 13th round of the 2019 draft.  A product of the University of South Carolina, Berryhill’s professional career thus far consists of only 32 Rookie League plate appearances in 2019, as the minor league shutdown last season kept Berryhill off the field.

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

Cincinnati Reds Cionel Perez Houston Astros Transactions

Blue Jays Sign George Springer
Main
Orioles Notes: Marlins, Santander, Mancini, Deferrals, MASN
37 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. tim815

    1 month ago

    Sounds like a “make 40 man roster space” move.

    Like
    Reply
    • Prospectnvstr

      1 month ago

      tim815:It states as much in the article. Reading is fundamental.

      Like
      Reply
    • Rgrddy

      1 month ago

      Another rocket scientist

      Like
      Reply
  2. Nervehammer

    1 month ago

    I always though Cionel was pretty promising as an Astros fan. Hope the best for him and the reds with this trade.

    5 Like
    Reply
    • puhl

      1 month ago

      Me too. I liked him a lot and thought he could be an asset out of the pen. Understand the move though and good luck to him.

      Like
      Reply
  3. elmedius

    1 month ago

    Any relation to Damon Berryhill?

    Like
    Reply
    • tom brunanskys black sock

      1 month ago

      Gotta be his son, right?

      Like
      Reply
      • bobtillman

        1 month ago

        No, but he’s Manny Machado’s brother in law.

        Actually I think that Luke is Damon’s kid.

        Like
        Reply
        • Whifff

          1 month ago

          Related to Manny? Surprised the White Sox didn’t get him then……….

          Like
          Reply
      • FredMcGriff for the HOF

        1 month ago

        According to gamecocksonline Luke Berryhill is the son of Larry and Kelly. Not a common last name for sure.

        2 Like
        Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 month ago

      No.

      Like
      Reply
  4. letmeclearmythroat74

    1 month ago

    Uh… are they only looking at guys named Perez … that’s 2 in a couple days

    Like
    Reply
    • tom brunanskys black sock

      1 month ago

      Rosie may be next.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • earmbrister

        1 month ago

        Rosie Perez would be a nice addition in “short relief”. I’m in favor.

        Like
        Reply
    • Dbird777

      1 month ago

      Cornering the market. Get your Perez’ while you can

      1 Like
      Reply
    • connfyoozed

      1 month ago

      Next they sign Melido and Carlos (RIP to Pascual).

      Like
      Reply
    • Eatdust666

      1 month ago

      Oliver is still available, but unfortunately for them, they have no chance of getting Salvador.

      Like
      Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    a catcher named Berryhill, eh?

    Like
    Reply
    • connfyoozed

      1 month ago

      My thoughts exactly… what are the odds?

      Like
      Reply
  6. Gothamcityriddler

    1 month ago

    They’re also “deep in talks” to bring Tony back in some capacity… More to come

    Like
    Reply
  7. MIKE PAUL

    1 month ago

    another shrewd deal by the reds. help everyone fill their 40 man rosters by taking people no one wants. they are clever these reds officials. what a waste of a year 2021 could be. also do not forget we need to locate marty perez.

    Like
    Reply
    • jbigz12

      1 month ago

      Tricky Dick wasted all his money and half his prospects in the last 2 years. Pandemic hit. Revenues got cut and he made a lot of terrible financial decisions. Reds were an organization that could’ve had a 3-4 year window and instead got a 1 season run at the playoffs. One of the worst roster management situations I’ve ever seen.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • earmbrister

        1 month ago

        So Dick Williams didn’t properly forecast a 100 year pandemic? Good point. And you know that only got a 1 year run at the playoffs how? Wow, your crystal ball is epic on both counts.

        Like
        Reply
    • bot

      1 month ago

      Even if they win the central – they’ll never compete w any other team in playoffs. Blow it up and start over. If they can get a good returns for Castillo Gray and Suarez, mix that in with current crop, and then pick 4 x in top 50 this draft – that’ll be a well rebooted system

      1 Like
      Reply
    • puhl

      1 month ago

      Perez isn’t a throwaway. Many Astros fans hate to see him go. Small in stature but throws hard from the left side. He has potential and unless you think Berryhill was going to provide major league innings of significance for your team, this isn’t a bad gamble by your club.

      1 Like
      Reply
  8. casey21

    1 month ago

    The Reds are a wreck. They let Hernan Perez sign with the Nats last week. The one that got away!

    Like
    Reply
  9. Jeff Zanghi

    1 month ago

    Wow Perez kind of skyrocketed through the minors but hasn’t really gotten much of a chance in the majors since then. He does seem to have some solid underlying stats (K rate) and solid ERAs in the minors. He looks like a guy who has the potential to be a legitimate LH reliever in the majors sooner rather than later. Or who knows he seems to have been a SP in the minors and while my guess is RP is more likely I suppose it’s also not out of the question he could wind up being given a chance to start at some point as well.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Jeff Zanghi

      1 month ago

      Wow Perez also completely dominated the Cuban league as a 17 and 18 year old. I mean really was just lights out and at such a young age. I realize it’s obviously much lesser competition than in the US but there are still some very good hitters he would have had to face and he really dominated and at such a young age. Very impressive. Now it’s time to see if he can translate any of that prior success to the majors.

      1 Like
      Reply
  10. BKS1110

    1 month ago

    Works for both sides. Command issues haven’t gone away for Perez and he has no path to the Majors with Houston. If Cincy can help those command issues he’s a late-game southpaw with plus stuff. Meanwhile Houston cleared a needed spot and needs some catching prospects in the system.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • puhl

      1 month ago

      Good take. I always like Perez and never felt he got the best opportunity in Houston. He has plus stuff from the left side. He can be a useful pitcher in the majors still in my opinion. Just needs the right opportunity. From an Astros standpoint I understand why we did this, but don’t like losing Perez.

      2 Like
      Reply
  11. Mrtwotone

    1 month ago

    Why are the reds blowing it up after 1 pandemic shortened season of contention? It doesn’t make sense to trade off prospects and sign guys to big deals just to give up the year after.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Spike 13

      1 month ago

      $

      Like
      Reply
    • HBan22

      1 month ago

      It’s extremely disappointing considering that they could have been the NL Central favorites, had they just stayed the course and continued trying to compete. Losing Bauer wasn’t reason enough to tear the entire team down. But yeah, $$…

      Like
      Reply
    • earmbrister

      1 month ago

      2tone, what have they blown up? No NL Central team has had a signing in excess of $1 MM this offseason. They sign a SS and they immediately become the division favorites.

      1 Like
      Reply
  12. redsfrontoffice

    1 month ago

    Championship !!!

    Like
    Reply
  13. AZPat

    1 month ago

    The Reds are looking to sign Trevor Bauer Perez too. And maybe Marcus Semien Perez.

    Like
    Reply
  14. armyman1975

    4 weeks ago

    I like both Perez signings. With our pitching coaches, they will be molded into good major league pitchers. Just wait.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Padres Extend Fernando Tatis Jr.

    Mets Sign Kevin Pillar

    Recent

    MLBTR Poll: Top-5 Free Agent Contracts

    California Health Notes: Murphy, Ohtani, Bellinger

    Giants Sign Jeremy Walker

    Pirates Acquire Dustin Fowler From Athletics

    Red Sox Designate Marcus Walden

    Jerry Dipoto, Jarred Kelenic Respond To Kevin Mather Controversy

    Braves Designate Jack Mayfield For Assignment

    Indians Claim Harold Ramirez, Designate Jordan Humphreys

    Braves Claim Guillermo Heredia

    Covid Notes: Jose Abreu, Andrew Miller

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version