MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: Pirates Add Starter, Giants Get Catcher

Published

4 months ago

December 19, 2023

Martin Perez, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB Offseason

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

The biggest need for the Pittsburgh Pirates this winter was starting pitching. Now in the back-half of December, the Pirates have struck twice to bring in some help.

Earlier in the MLB offseason, the Pirates acquired left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. Gonzales had been acquired by Atlanta from the Seattle Mariners just a few days prior, but was quickly re-routed to Pittsburgh.

The Pirates brought in another southpaw on Monday, this one coming via free agency.

As first reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray and confirmed by Pittsburgh Baseball Now, the Pirates are in agreement with Martín Pérez on a one-year, $8 million contract. The deal is pending a physical.

Pérez, who turns 33 in April, was part of the World Series champion Texas Rangers this past season. On the year, the 12-year major league veteran went 10-4 with a 4.45 ERA (100 ERA+) in 35 appearances/20 starts. Pérez threw 141.2 innings in total during the regular season and added 4.2 innings during the postseason.

Even with two acquisitions for the rotation, the Pirates could still be in the market for further help. This is especially true in wake of Johan Oviedo undergoing Tommy John surgery.

GIANTS ADD BACKUP CATCHER

The San Francisco Giants added a catcher to backup blossoming young backstop Patrick Bailey. As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported, the Giants have agreed to a deal with Tom Murphy. The agreement is for two years and $8.25 million and has a club option for a third year.

Murphy appeared in 47 games for the Seattle Mariners last season and performed well in his small sample. The 32-year-old hit .290 with an .873 OPS and recorded 12 doubles to go along with eight home runs and 17 RBIs.

The addition puts the status of former first rounder Joey Bart in question. If the Giants look to deal Bart, teams such as the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays could make sense as fits.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

The Baltimore Orioles added some pitching depth by acquiring right-handed pitcher Jonathan Heasley from the Kansas City Royals for pitching prospect Cesar Espinal.