Cardinals Eye Martin Perez for Pitching Depth
The St. Louis Cardinals are exploring the possibility of adding Martin Perez to their pitching staff. The veteran left-hander, who has spent 14 years in the majors, could provide depth and protect young players in the Cardinals' organization.
Perez, 32, enjoyed a resurgence in 2024, posting a combined ERA of 3.50 between the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. His experience and consistency could be valuable to the Cardinals, who have a number of young left-handed pitchers in their system.
Perez's role would likely be to provide innings and stability, rather than being a high-upside arm. He has a career ERA of 4.41 across 1631.2 innings, and while he has had some injury issues, including a flexor strain that cost him four months of the 2025 season, his potential surplus value could make him an attractive option for the Cardinals.
While Perez's injuries may increase the risk of signing him, they could also lower his cost, making him a potentially valuable addition to the Cardinals' pitching staff. His veteran leadership and experience could also be beneficial to a young Cardinals team looking to take the next step.
