The Cubs have signed veteran catcher Carlos Pérez to a minor league deal, in line with the transactions tracker on Pérez’s MLB.com profile web page. The deal presumably contains an invitation to MLB Spring Coaching.
Pérez, 34, shouldn’t be confused together with his youthful brother and fellow catcher Carlos Pérez, who’s at present a free agent however performed elements of two MLB seasons with the White Sox. The elder Pérez signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela earlier than making his professional debut in 2008 and has spent elements of 5 seasons within the majors since then. A well-regarded defensive catcher, Pérez made his large league debut with the Angels again in 2015 however slashed simply .224/.267/.332 (64 wRC+) in 595 plate appearances throughout 184 video games and three seasons in Anaheim. Pérez cut up the 2018 season between the Braves and Rangers however made it into simply 28 video games whereas posting a ghastly -4 wRC+ in 75 journeys to the plate.
After that lackluster exhibiting in 2018, Pérez shuffled between the Orioles, A’s, and Rockies techniques over time earlier than lastly resurfacing within the majors final yr on the age of 32. The 2023 marketing campaign was arguably the very best of Pérez’s profession as he served as Oakland’s major backup behind Shea Langeliers. His .226/.293/.357 slash line in 68 video games for the A’s was effectively under league common (83 wRC+) total however roughly on par with the expectations related to a typical large league backup. Pérez returned to the A’s on a minor league deal final winter however didn’t finally crack the membership’s large league roster this yr regardless of hitting fairly effectively at Triple-A. In 112 video games with the membership’s Las Vegas affiliate, Pérez slashed a robust .260/.344/.544 with 27 homers and 27 doubles. These numbers are inflated by the offense-friendly atmosphere of the Pacific Coast League, however even when adjusted for that atmosphere are nonetheless good for a 114 wRC+ on the degree.
Pérez elected minor league free company final month looking for greener pastures, which he appears to have present in Chicago. The Cubs seem largely set on the large league degree with a catching tandem of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, however it’s doable that Pérez may very well be the subsequent man up within the occasion of an harm, incomes a giant league alternative much like those Christian Bethancourt and Tomás Nido bought with the membership final yr. From Chicago’s perspective, in the meantime, Pérez gives a non-roster depth choice behind the plate who may also function a mentor to younger pitchers on the Triple-A degree like Cade Horton in addition to the membership’s prime catching prospect, Moisés Ballesteros. Ballesteros reached Triple-A at simply 20 years outdated final yr on the ability of his thrilling bat, however his defensive abilities are questionable and it’s not but clear whether or not he’ll be capable to stick behind the plate within the majors.
