On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox made their first two major league signings of the 2020 offseason, as they signed utility man Jose Peraza (one year, $3 million) and left-handed pitcher Martin Perez (one year, $6.25 million with an option for Year 2).
While not as glamorous as what the Yankees have been up to, the Red Sox are doing what they can while keeping their main goal of shedding salary in mind. Even if the guys they take in are considered lesser players than the likes of Brock Holt or Rick Porcello.
However, here’s what Red Sox fans should get used to with the two newest members.
Jose Peraza is not going to wow you with anything in particular offensively, but he’s far from an automatic out at the plate. Yes, he struggled mightily in 2019, slashing .239/.285/.346 with a .272 wOBA, but he was tied for fourth in the league in hits just the season prior.
Peraza also saw time at second base, shortstop, center field, and left field last season, making him a viable option for Boston’s Brock Holt replacement. While he can’t replicate the impact Holt had on the Boston community, he’s certainly a cheaper alternative.
As far as Martin Perez goes, he’s a tougher nut to crack. What makes him an attractive commodity is his ability to throw a fastball in the mid-90s. However, he struggles to strike guys out (18.3 percent last season was his career-high) and had very bizarre luck in 2019.
Even though Perez was in the 96th percentile in exit velocity and in the 93rd for hard-hit rate, he finished the season with an ERA of 5.12 and a FIP of 4.66. But he does have a potential saving grace in his arsenal: His changeup and cutter mix.
Over 855 registered cutters, Perez had a FIP of 3.68 and an xwOBA of .255, while also posting a 14.9 percent K-BB rate. As for his changeup, he posted a 3.27 FIP and a 17.1 percent K-BB rate. Nothing to gawk at, but it shows that he has a decent pitch-mix that could allow him to have success in an Opener’s role.
There’s still a lot of work to be done for the Boston Red Sox to improve their team while also shedding salary. But for now, Red Sox fans have at least a glimpse of what they can expect from Chaim Bloom and Brian O’Halloran this offseason.
