Texas Rangers Secure Martin Perez for Four Years

Deal could keep Martin Perez a Ranger until 2020.

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

At least another four years, that is. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweeted the Texas Rangers and lefty starter Martin Perez have agreed on a four-year deal worth at least $12.5MM. After checking the Star-Telegram’s website, the exact details of the deal are still unknown, but on the surface, this seems like a steal for the Rangers.

But the deal’s particulars were later posted by T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Here they are…

2014: $750K salary, $1MM bonus
2015: $1MM salary
2016: $2.9MM salary
2017: $4.4MM salary
2018: $6MM salary ($2.45 MM buyout)
2019: $7.5MM salary ($750K buyout)
2020: $9MM salary ($250K buyout)

In total, Texas has secured the lefty starter for two of his arbitration years and, if the team exercises all three option years, two years in which Perez could be a free agent. As outlined, this deal could potentially keep Perez in a Rangers uniform until 2020. If course, if Perez doesn’t perform well, the Rangers could easily decline any of the three options.

In 32 games (26 starts), Perez is 11-10 with and ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.405. Last season was a major improvement over his first taste of the MLB in 2012. Perez went 10-6 in 20 starts, posting an ERA of 3.62 and a WHIP of 1.335.

Could deals like this one be a new wave of deals for young arms? As MLB Trade Rumors notes, similar deals have been constructed by the Rangers for the likes of Matt Harrison and Derek Holland. MLBTR’s Steve Adams also states that other pitchers receiving a similar deal are Cory Luebke, Wade Davis and Brett Anderson.

(H/T: MLB Trade Rumors)