The Chicago White Sox have reached a one-year, $5 million agreement with veteran left-handed pitcher pending a physical examination. At 33 years old, Pérez offers 13 years of MLB experience and joins a White Sox rotation in dire need of consistency. In 2024, he pitched for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, making 26 starts and recording a 4.53 ERA over 135 innings.
The experienced pitcher and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.” via Robert Murray on X, formerly Twitter.
Although his performance was steady rather than exceptional, Pérez finished the 2024 season strong. After being traded to San Diego midseason, he adjusted his pitch repertoire, increasing his use of changeups and curveballs, which helped reduce his ERA to 3.46 with the Padres.
Although Pérez doesn’t have overpowering stuff—his fastball averages just 91.3 mph—he’s a reliable innings eater. Over his career, he has accumulated 1,575 2/3 innings with a 4.44 ERA and 90 wins. Additionally, he brings veteran leadership to a pitching staff that includes promising but unproven prospects such as Davis Martin, Drew Thorpe, Nick Nastrini, and Jairo Iriarte.
For the White Sox, Pérez represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. The one-year contract ensures that he won’t block top pitching prospects like Hagen Smith or Noah Schultz, who could be in line for major-league opportunities later in the season. If Pérez performs well, the White Sox could trade him at the deadline, similar to how the Pirates did in the previous year, to gain additional assets for their rebuilding process.
Despite some inconsistencies, Pérez has demonstrated moments of excellence, including an All-Star season in 2022 with the Texas Rangers. He also brings postseason experience, having been part of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series-winning team. His leadership and steady presence could help mentor Chicago’s young pitchers as they adjust to the major leagues.
The signing of Pérez is a practical move for a White Sox team looking to rebuild while maintaining some competitiveness. While he might not be a game-changer, Pérez offers reliability and flexibility to a rotation in flux, with the potential to provide value both on the mound and as a trade asset.
