Texas Rangers: Starting pitcher Martin Perez agrees to deal with Twins

Martin Perez has committed to the Minnesota Twins on a one-year contract. For the first time, he’ll look to find his form away from the Texas Rangers.

Well, this is the last article we’ll write about Martin Perez for quite some while (maybe ever). The lefty has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. Perez of course spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Texas Rangers. Texas decided not to pick up his 2019 contract option this offseason, thus, making him a free agent.

The 27-year-old will get a clean slate in Minnesota; a much-needed clean slate considering his underwhelming stay in Texas. He’ll join the Twins after having posted a 2-7 record and 6.22 ERA less than a year ago with the Rangers.

Perez was a prized prospect within the Rangers’ organization. At his highest point (2011), he ranked as the organization’s #2 prospect. Unfortunately, his output did not come close to matching what scouts believed was his potential.

He put forth one excellent season with the Texas Rangers, and it just so happened to be his first full big league season. In 2013, he went 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA over 20 starts. The Rangers believed they had an ace on the way.

However, that was the highlight season of the seven he spent with Texas. Sure, he had his moments, but the collective statistics will enlighten you to a below average starting pitcher. You certainly can’t say the Rangers didn’t give him a fighter’s chance. Even with Perez’s consistently poor output, he was a mainstay in the club’s rotation every year – until the last.

The Texas Rangers decided they had seen enough as the 2018 season wound down. Alas, the Martin Perez experiment had reached an end. Though, he is still young. There is plenty of time for him to find his form at the major league level. He’ll now try to find it with a different team.