Pittsburgh Pirates News: Team Signs Catcher Roberto Pérez

One day after trading Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins the Pittsburgh Pirates addressed the catcher position by signing free agent Roberto Pérez

Monday evening the Pittsburgh Pirates made their biggest move of the offseason thus far when they traded 2021 Gold Glove Award winning catcher Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins. This left the Pirates with a hole to fill at the catcher position.

Shortly after the trade we identified three potential catching free agent targets for the Pittsburgh Pirates. One of these three targets we identified was former two-time Gold Glove Award winner Roberto Pérez. Well, according to reports, the Pirates and Pérez have agreed to terms.

Pérez appears set to join the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year, $5 million deal. The 2019 and 2020 American League Gold Glove Award winner will become the primary backstop for the Pirates. That said, it would not be a surprise to see the Pirates continue to pursue catchers as they search for a backup to pair with Pérez.

The 32-year-old Pérez is a defensive first catcher. Pérez has a career Defensive Runs Saved behind the dish of +76. He also rates out at +43 when it comes to pitch framing, per FanGraphs. Pérez is well renowned as a game caller and when it comes to handling a pitching staff. All of this should be a big boost for a young Pirate pitching staff that could see multiple pitching prospects graduate to the Major League level in 2022.

In 1683 career plate appearances Pérez has hit for a .206/.297/.360 slash line to go with a 76 wRC+. He does possess some strong on-base skills, however, with a career walk rate of 10.8%

The Pirates had an open spot on their 40-man roster. Adding Pérez once again makes the 40-man roster full. It would not be a surprise to see the Pirates make another roster move or two before the CBA expires at midnight tomorrow.