The Nationals have agreed to a minor-league deal with left-hander Cionel Perez, according to Francys Romero of Beisbol FR. Perez earns an invite to major-league Spring Training. He will earn $1.9MM if he makes the roster, with $700k in incentives, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Perez is represented by Octagon.
Perez is an eight-year big-league veteran. After stints with the Astros and Reds from 2018-21, he was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in November 2021 and subsequently earned a larger role. His first season in Baltimore was his best. Perez posted a shiny 1.40 ERA in 57 2/3 innings across 66 appearances. His expected stats weren’t quite as high on him, though his 3.63 xERA and 2.80 FIP still painted the picture of an above-average reliever. Perez excelled that year by keeping the ball in the park and getting plenty of groundballs. His 51.3% groundball rate in 2022 was tied for 33rd among 152 qualified relievers that year. His 0.31 HR/9 rate was 11th-best.
More to come.
If Perez can ever find his form again…but that is a big IF!
Savvy signing for the Nats.
He was good 1 time.
Pen so bad he doesn’t have to be great to be a good add.
I love this move. This is a great test for the Nats new pitching lab.