Texas Rangers: Martin Perez coming back has been a win-win

During an offseason that saw the Texas Rangers spend over a half billion dollars in free agency on the likes of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, and Kole Calhoun, perhaps the most underwhelming free agent signing was that of Martin Perez. To be fair, the signing of Perez would have been far more exciting for just about any other organization. That is because Rangers fans had spent the better part of five seasons (2014-2018) waiting for the talented lefty to settle into his own and stay away from the blowup innings.

Anybody that followed the Rangers during the time that Perez was first there had no doubt that his stuff was solid. The problem was, in his first stint with the organization, he had a hard time living up to expectations. At times, the Venezuelan native was way too hard on himself and didn’t handle adversity very well. He would show signs of greatness and then be derailed by a bad call, error in the field, or a bloop single. Instead of shaking it off and getting the next guy, Perez struggled to keep his focus.

Martin Perez proving to be a bargain for Texas Rangers

Adversity on the mound is something that Perez has had very little of this year outside of his first two starts. The first two outings both lasted only four innings apiece and yielded an ERA of 6.75. Since then, Perez has been absolutely dominant. Over his last eight starts, Perez is 4-0 (Texas is 7-1 in those games) with an ERA of 0.65.

Over that time, he has pitched 55.1 innings, has recorded 42 Ks, and given only 10 walks. In a home run or strikeout baseball environment, Perez has yet to give up a homer this season. It was announced earlier this week that he had been selected as the AL pitcher of the month for May. While still early, Perez finds himself in the middle of the AL Cy Young race. In 2022 he already as a WAR of 2.8, a WHIP of 0.932, and MLB leading ERA+ of 274.

Since Perez just signed a one-year contract for 2022, the rumors of him being dealt at the deadline are starting to pick up steam. There can be a case made that the rebuilding Rangers should look to parlay the Perez turnaround into additional prospects for the rebuild. But what if the club is still in contention for the last wildcard spot come late July? Despite having a record that is three games under .500 going into Saturday’s contest, Texas is only two games back for the third and final AL wild card spot.

If the Rangers are still somehow in contention for the playoffs, I don’t see the club wanting to move Perez. He likes playing in Arlington and I think that Chris Young will take his chances at getting to the playoffs and then resigning the lefty in the offseason. Another risky, but conceivable scenario, would have the out of the hunt Rangers dealing Perez at the deadline for prospects, with both parties’ full intention of him returning to the organization in the offseason. This would allow the club to add to the rebuild, give Perez the chance to chase a World Series, and then end up back in Arlington. The risky part of this idea is that Perez increases his value even more in the postseason and is snatched up by someone else.

No matter what ends up happening to Martin Perez over the rest of the season, he has shown such a great turnaround, that he will be getting paid by someone next year. And along the way, at least for now, Rangers fans are witnessing the pitcher they longed for many years ago. And those two wins, makes the signing of Martin Perez this offseason a true win-win for player and organization.

Perez is next scheduled to take the mound on Sunday afternoon at home when the Texas Rangers take on divisional opponent, the Seattle Mariners.