ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 14: Texas Rangers’ Martin Perez #54 reacts after hitting Sam Haggerty of the Seattle Mariners in the second inning at Globe Life Field on July 14, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez could be dealt before the upcoming close.
The 31-year-old southpaw is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and Texas is currently eight games without a wild card.
Perez is in the midst of a career year with an 8-2 record, 2.59 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings while also posting a team-high 3.4 WAR, according to Baseball Reference.
Here are three possible landing spots for Perez.
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3 potential landing spots for Martin Perez
Toronto Blue Jays
No doubt the Blue Jays could use a left-hander in their rotation given Hyun Jin Ryu is out for the year following Tommy John’s surgery and Yusei Kikuchi is having a disappointing first season with the organization. Kikuchi is also currently on the 10-day injured list with a neck strain, and he posted a miserable 7.99 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in seven starts before reaching IL.
With starter Jose Berrios turning the corner and Ross Stripling having one of the best seasons of his career, the Jay Birds could have arms to pull away in the American League wild card race.
However, the addition of Perez would greatly improve their prospects.
New York Yankees
The Yankees run away with the American League East and have the third-lowest ERA and second-lowest FIP in baseball.
Adding Perez would be a luxury rather than a necessity.
Starter Luis Severino is currently out with a lat load, left-hander Jordan Montgomery hasn’t won any of his last seven starts and carries a 4.97 ERA while sliding, and Domingo German has only had a single start all season.
Yet even with Perez in the midst of a career year, the Yankees could actually be looking to make a bigger showing and acquire a more proven slinger with more brand appeal.
Minnesota twins
With a 2.5-game lead in the American League Central, Minnesota has probably outperformed at this point in the season. The twins will also need some pitching help to have a legitimate shot at a postseason berth.
After all, both the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox are closing in.
Also, Minnesota currently only has four healthy starters on the roster: Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Dylan Bundy and Chris Archer.
Of course, Bailey Ober could return from a groin injury, but he won’t help the Twins hold off the Guardians and/or White Sox.
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Neil Parker
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A lifelong supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, Maple Leafs and Gators, Neil has covered sports in print and online since 2011. Past positions include USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among others. He is a graduate of St. Thomas University and Acadia University and spends a lot of time at the KenWo Golf Club.