Martin Perez, our new 5th starter option.

[Brandon]

According to mlbtraderumors.com. we just signed Martin Perez. He used to play for the Rangers and is a lefty starter.

[SF Twins Fan]

What's the point of this signing unless they're making him into long relief I just don't get this. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

So, Mejia in the pen huh? Romero too?

 

I’d rather see Mejia in the rotation than Perez. Ick

[Richie the Rally Goat]

What's the point of this signing unless they're making him into long relief I just don't get this.

why would you sign a free agent swing man?

[sweetmusicviola16]

Why? Perez is awful and always has been.

[sweetmusicviola16]

I could see this as an invite to camp. But not on a guaranteed ML deal.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I could see this as an invite to camp. But not on a guaranteed ML deal.

That's what I thought, but MLBTR says there's a team option for 2020

[Miggy's Little Helper]

He had success in low-leverage relief last year.  I suspect we signed him for bottom bullpen depth.  If that's the case, fine. 

 

If that's not the case, and we signed him to be the 5, then I dare say this is the worst move of the Falvine era.  A zero upside signing and a pretty clear downgrade from Mejia.  

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The MLBTR article has praised his ground ball tendencies without once mentioning how bad the Twins infield is. That’s why I hate this signing. Ground ball pitcher with Polanco and Sano on the pull side for righties... Ick ...

[Old Twins Cap]

Twins are the mystery team!

 

Embrace it.

 

 

[lukeduke1980]

This is so Terry Ryan. With Metrodome revenue.

[Channing1964]

This is a case where, and I know I will be corrected if and when Im wrong, but I have always seen potential in Perez. The need for another lefty starter has always been there, we all know it. At the very least he comes in as our #4 with open competition between Mejia and Pinedá for the 5th spot. At worst he is another lefty we can use to eat innings and push Moya and Rogers. This is a nice move that adds depth where we are in trouble with the injury histories of Mejia and Pineda. Having Johnson around may help a lot to increase Perez's velocity just in case all the Anal-lyticists were wondering. Dont stop Thadek....bullpen and middle infield....(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)

[Blake]

Looks to me like a "hoping to get a good amount of innings and decent ERA at the trade deadline so he can be flipped for more prospects" signing.

[jud6312]

 

This is a case where, and I know I will be corrected if and when Im wrong, but I have always seen potential in Perez. The need for another lefty starter has always been there, we all know it. At the very least he comes in as our #4 with open competition between Mejia and Pinedá for the 5th spot. At worst he is another lefty we can use to eat innings and push Moya and Rogers. This is a nice move that adds depth where we are in trouble with the injury histories of Mejia and Pineda. Having Johnson around may help a lot to increase Perez's velocity just in case all the Anal-lyticists were wondering. Dont stop Thadek....bullpen and middle infield....(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)

If he's this team's #4 it's gonna be a long, long summer.

[Twins33]

The other moves I could at least understand, if not like. This one is stupid....

[Mike Sixel]

This is a case where, and I know I will be corrected if and when Im wrong, but I have always seen potential in Perez. The need for another lefty starter has always been there, we all know it. At the very least he comes in as our #4 with open competition between Mejia and Pinedá for the 5th spot. At worst he is another lefty we can use to eat innings and push Moya and Rogers. This is a nice move that adds depth where we are in trouble with the injury histories of Mejia and Pineda. Having Johnson around may help a lot to increase Perez's velocity just in case all the Anal-lyticists were wondering. Dont stop Thadek....bullpen and middle infield....(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)(gonzalez)

Many teams have decided they need zero left handed starters. Most hitters are right handed.... And teams have realized that.

[Channing1964]

Many teams have decided they need zero left handed starters. Most hitters are right handed.... And teams have realized that.

yes you are right how silly of me. To advance in the playoffs you will never have to face Benintendi, Brantley, Calhoun, Chapman, Odor, Gregorius, I mean sure ....somewhere we're gonna need somebody to get lefties out? Ask your bosses what they were thinking about it. Obviously they think we need one. Why is Moya even in the major leagues? I am dumbfounded at the moment. I get it that the FO has taken lots of heat but for 3.5mil a year Perez is a Steal. He has 6 years experience on a major league staff. Stop acting like its your money I'M TRYING TO SPEND!

[Channing1964]

Looks to me like a "hoping to get a good amount of innings and decent ERA at the trade deadline so he can be flipped for more prospects" signing.

That may be right....I am happy they at least adress the issues I see as obvious. Look, Im Falvine's worst critic...this is a smart move. Don't stop yet, but at least its a smart baseball decision. Doesn't mean we shouldnt have Marwin Gonzalez and maybe even Kimbrell....but...Im like DO SOMETHING...and they are.

[jud6312]

 

but for 3.5mil a year Perez is a Steal. 

Really? A steal? You're joking, right?

[Channing1964]

Really? A steal? You're joking, right?

for 3.5 million I am sure it was a steal. Are you aware we still owe Phil Hughes 5.3 million? If you are a true fan you don't just hand the ball to Pineda and Mejia every 4th and fifth day without making them both earn it. And as far as Perez is concerned, what happens if Rogers blows his arm out? Or Moya is ineffective? I guess we should just dismiss the fact that there are left handed hitters in the major leagues that can hurt you.(in games that matter)...I saw one post where someone said Perez has a live arm. I have see him in spring training for 5+ years and that is true. If he puts it all together you will see. Either way its a STEAL.

[jud6312]

 

yes you are right how silly of me. To advance in the playoffs you will never have to face Benintendi, Brantley, Calhoun, Chapman, Odor, Gregorius, I mean sure ....somewhere we're gonna need somebody to get lefties out? Ask your bosses what they were thinking about it. Obviously they think we need one. Why is Moya even in the major leagues? I am dumbfounded at the moment. I get it that the FO has taken lots of heat but for 3.5mil a year Perez is a Steal. He has 6 years experience on a major league staff. Stop acting like its your money I'M TRYING TO SPEND!

 

A few points here.

 

First, last year lefties hit .271 with a .746 OPS off of Perez. Definitely not dominant there. And for his career, they're going for .242 and .651. Better, but it's still "what have you done for me lately?" And, for Perez, the answer is "not much."

 

Second, you're using Calhoun as an example of a dangerous lefty that a lefty specialist would need to retire? Whether you're talking Willie or Cole, it doesn't matter.

 

Third, Chapman (Matt) bats right-handed. Aroldis is lefty, but I don't think I'd worrying about pitching to him. 

 

Fourth, in order to get guys like Benintendi, Didi, Odor (really?), etc. out in the playoffs, you first need to get to the playoffs. A castoff like Martin Perez isn't going to help you do that. 

 

It's dumpster diving at its finest.

[jud6312]

 

for 3.5 million I am sure it was a steal. Are you aware we still owe Phil Hughes 5.3 million? If you are a true fan you don't just hand the ball to Pineda and Mejia every 4th and fifth day without making them both earn it. And as far as Perez is concerned, what happens if Rogers blows his arm out? Or Moya is ineffective? I guess we should just dismiss the fact that there are left handed hitters in the major leagues that can hurt you.(in games that matter)...I saw one post where someone said Perez has a live arm. I have see him in spring training for 5+ years and that is true. If he puts it all together you will see. Either way its a STEAL.

 

The list of guys that "look good in spring training" is long and doesn't usually carry over into the regular season. Especially those with an extended track record of mediocrity, which was followed by less than replacement level value last year.

 

If that's a steal, I'd hate to see what they'd have to pay for someone that isn't terrible.

[S.]

 

yes you are right how silly of me. To advance in the playoffs you will never have to face Benintendi, Brantley, Calhoun, Chapman, Odor, Gregorius, I mean sure ....somewhere we're gonna need somebody to get lefties out? Ask your bosses what they were thinking about it. Obviously they think we need one. Why is Moya even in the major leagues? I am dumbfounded at the moment. I get it that the FO has taken lots of heat but for 3.5mil a year Perez is a Steal. He has 6 years experience on a major league staff. Stop acting like its your money I'M TRYING TO SPEND!

If Martin Perez is the left handed starter you're counting on to carry you deep into the playoffs, then you're probably going to be pretty disappointed.

[Channing1964]

If Martin Perez is the left handed starter you're counting on to carry you deep into the playoffs, then you're probably going to be pretty disappointed.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Martin Perez. He used to play for the Rangers and is a lefty starter.

I would love it if these exact words were his media guide bio

 

I hope he finds success here.

[Mike Sixel]

yes you are right how silly of me. To advance in the playoffs you will never have to face Benintendi, Brantley, Calhoun, Chapman, Odor, Gregorius, I mean sure ....somewhere we're gonna need somebody to get lefties out? Ask your bosses what they were thinking about it. Obviously they think we need one. Why is Moya even in the major leagues? I am dumbfounded at the moment. I get it that the FO has taken lots of heat but for 3.5mil a year Perez is a Steal. He has 6 years experience on a major league staff. Stop acting like its your money I'M TRYING TO SPEND!

I didn't say they couldn't be useful, I said teams have started realizing they aren't necessary. Those are two very different things. Your first post was that they needed one, that's all I was responding to.

[bird]

If Martin Perez becomes productive enough to help this team win extra games this year, I will be quick to heap praise on this FO.

 

If this transaction fails to produce those results, I will be highly critical of this FO.

 

If this FO stops here with efforts to improve the 2019 roster, I'm going birdwatching when the owls are out this summer.

[Doomtints]

Baseball-Reference says the similar pitchers at his age were:

 

Joe Mays

Pete Redfern

Carl Pavano

 

That's all very optimistic. I look at him and see Ricky Nolasco.

 

He pitched a lot in 2016-2017 so maybe the Twins think he was overworked and that's why he was down last year. Either way they are taking a gamble. If this is for depth, fine. If he is the new long reliever, fine (but a lefty for that? Hm.) If he blocks young starters who we need to figure out, then history is repeating itself....

[Battle ur tail off]

This guy could be decent, but if this is a signing with a guaranteed spot in the rotation, I am disappointed. 

 

It also shows that our FO doesn't think we will compete this year. This is a contract given out to a guy that was highly thought of, never really made anything out of himself, but it still young. If he ever lives up to some of the hype he had early, he could be quite a find. Most likely though, it's a dumpster dive of the Terry Ryan variety. The biggest thing this guy has going for him is that he is still fairly young. 

 

[jimbo92107]

Hard to deny the logic. The league is full of right-handed hitters, so a lefty pitcher can't just be average to get those guys out. He's got to have stuff like Frankie V or Johan Santana. Good heater, decent curve, and a deadly change-up. Otherwise, it's tough to make it as a lefty in the bigs. You've got to command some pitch that fades away from a right handed bat. The only other option is the wipe-out slider, a-la Liriano, but that will wreck most guys arms.