Cubs sign Carlos Pérez to minor league deal

The Cubs have signed a veteran catcher Carlos Perez to a minor league deal, according to the transaction tracker on Pérez’s MLB.com profile page. The deal presumably includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training.

Pérez, 34, is not to be confused with his younger brother and fellow catch Carlos Perezwho is currently a free agent but played two MLB seasons with the White Sox. The elder Pérez signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela before making his professional debut in 2008 and has since spent parts of five seasons in the majors. A highly rated defensive catcher, Pérez made his big league debut with the Angels in 2015, but hit just .224/.267/.332 (64 wRC+) in 595 plate appearances over 184 games and three seasons in Anaheim. Pérez split the 2018 season between the Braves and Rangers, but only managed to play 28 games, posting a terrible -4 in WRC+ in 75 road games.

After that lackluster performance in 2018, Pérez shuffled between the Orioles, A’s and Rockies systems over the years before finally reemerging in the majors last year at age 32. The 2023 season was arguably the best of Pérez’s career as he served as Oakland’s primary backup player behind Shea Langeliers. His .226/.293/.357 slash line in 68 games for the A’s was well below league average (83 wRC+) overall, but about on par with the expectations associated with a typical backup big league. Pérez returned to the A’s on a minor league contract last winter, but ultimately failed to make the club’s big league roster this year despite doing reasonably well in Triple-A. In 112 games with Las Vegas’ affiliate, Pérez hit a strong .260/.344/.544 with 27 homers and 27 doubles. These numbers are inflated by the offensive-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League, but even when adjusted for that environment they are still good for a 114 WRC+ at that level.

Pérez entered minor league free agency last month in search of greener pastures, which he appears to have found in Chicago. The Cubs appear mostly settled at the big league level with an eye-catching tandem Carson Kelly AND Miguel Amayabut it’s possible that Pérez could be the next man up in case of injury, earning himself a championship opportunity similar to those Christian Bethancourt AND Tomas Nido achieved with the club last year. From Chicago’s perspective, meanwhile, Pérez offers a non-roster depth option behind the plate who can also serve as a mentor to young Triple-A level pitchers like Horton falls as well as the club’s best prospect, Moises Ballesteros. Ballesteros reached Triple-A at just 20 years old last year thanks to the power of his hot bat, but his defensive skills are questionable and it’s still unclear whether he’ll be able to stick behind the plate in the majors.