Pirates sign ex-All-Star pitcher away from Rangers

The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting their hands on a World Series champion.

The Pirates officially announced this week that they have signed veteran left-hander Martin Perez. They revealed that Perez is getting a one-year contract for the 2024 season (reportedly worth $8 million).

Perez, 32, had spent the last two seasons as a member of the Texas Rangers, winning the World Series with them last year. He went 10-4 with a 4.45 ERA in a hybrid role for Texas (20 starts and 15 appearances out of the bullpen).

Prior to that, Perez was selected as an AL All-Star in 2022 on the heels of a terrific season where he was 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA. The 12-year veteran also had an earlier stint with the Rangers (from 2012-18) and then spent time with both the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.

It remains to be seen what exact role Perez will have in Pittsburgh. But he is an important lefty addition to a staff that only otherwise has Bailey Falter and Marco Gonzales. Perez has some other interesting talents to offer too.