Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Starting Pitcher Free Agent Targets

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Andrew Heaney #38 of the New York Yankees pitches during the sixth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 30, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Andrew Heaney #38 of the New York Yankees pitches during the sixth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 30, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Left-handed pitcher Martin Perez

Another left-handed starting pitching option the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider is Martin Perez. Perez pitched in 36 games this year with the Boston Red Sox and started 22 of them. He pitched 114.0 innings and had 97 strikeouts. He finished the regular season with a 4.74 ERA and an overall record of 7-8.

Perez ended the regular season with a 7.1% walk and 19.1% strikeout rate with the Red Sox. He had a 43.6% ground ball percentage was well. He ended up with a 0.6 WAR and a 4.82 FIP. In his career, Perez has a 63-69 overall record with a 4.71 ERA.

Perez will hit free agency after this season and will only be 31 years of age by the start of next year. His contract with the Boston Red Sox this year is for $6 million. If the Pittsburgh Pirates want to slightly overpay to get a veteran left-handed pitcher like Perez, then this would be a good opportunity too.

Time will tell if Ben Cherington wants to add another veteran pitcher for the upcoming season like he did the previous year with the addition of Tyler Anderson. Anderson ended up being a good trade piece at the deadline and maybe one of these pitchers could do the same for the 2022 season.

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