The Cubs have agreed to a minor-league pact with utilityman Hernan Perez, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter links). It’s said to include a non-roster invitation to participate in big league camp. Perez would earn $1MM in the majors and could double that via incentives.
Perez, 28, is at his best a notable stolen-base threat who delivers quality glovework all over the field. But his bat has never kept pace and has increasingly drooped into unplayable territory.
Back in 2016, Perez swiped 34 bags and delivered 13 long balls with a .272/.302/.428 slash line in 430 trips to the plate for the Brewers. But that has proven to be a high-water mark. Last year, he managed only a .228/.252/.379 batting line in 246 plate appearances.
While it’s easy to envision the Cubs finding a role for Perez, particularly with an extra roster spot and a few recent infield stalwarts departing the team earlier in the winter, the organization will want to see him earn a job in camp. Beyond the need to make strides with the bat, he’ll need to show he can reverse a worrying drop in sprint speed. After hovering in the 80th percentile range, Perez fell to the 55.9th percentile in 2019.
RollieCG4
Hahahahaha
steven moldthan
Each new addition is more and more impressive. Combined with Ricketts sewn up pockets, this one certainly should make the Cubs odds-on favorites for the World Series.
chiraqi_savage
brewpackbuckbadg
Say it ain’t so Alejandro? (middle name)
8
Called it on my top 50 list,, GREAT PICKUP!
thomps07
The man sucks. Have fun cutting him or placing him in AAA all season.
excusemeflo
Hence the minor league contract
dynamite drop in monty
The world needs ditch diggers
tycobb016
Richie Hebner dug graves during the off season years ago.
sufferforsnakes
…..while Perez dug his during the season.
deweybelongsinthehall
The most steady job you can find…
baseballwarshipper
“You know something? You suck!” Billy Madison
dynamite drop in monty
Who would eat 30 bagged lunches
Strike Four
“Have fun cutting him or placing him in AAA all season.”
Damn, who hurt you?
DVail1979
isn’t he a starting 2b or cf for the Cubs as the roster currently stands?
kidbryant
Nico Hoerner would be 2B/SS (with Baez) and Ian Happ/Albert Almora in CF. Try again.
Yankeepride88
Hoerner and Happ/Almora as starters sounds terrible.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
He wont even make the team. It’s a minor league deal. Put him in single A.
tycobb016
Holy Cow Theo really did his homework. There has to be a worst player on the team. Cub fans HaHaHaHa.
Marytown1
Dumpster diving the Brewers! Lol
Eatdust666
lol
drewm
And his uncle will drive him to Chicago
2id
Still a better OFer than Schwarber.
Sheep8
Oh wow! He had higher than a 2.3 WAR, and more than 38 HRs/92 RBIs!
Great signing then
2id
Blah Blah Blah Schwarber is still overrated and is a butcher in the OF.
Gocubsgo1986
“Cubs to sign” got me excited, short lived
wordonthestreet
Well stop the presses! Lol
ihazhomerun
Hopefully he’ll make the roster, always liked him on the Brewers.
oldtimer
Dumpster diving, AGAIN! ☹️
ReverieDays
It’s a Minor league deal dude. Every team makes dozens of these every offseason.
ChiSoxCity
Uh, no.
capnfatback
That’s true, only the well-run teams do.
tycobb016
Maybe Perez doesn’t drink. Maybe he will come to the park in shape to play. Cubs need some guys who prepare themselves properly.
stubby66
He is a great clubhouse guy and he works with the young to help them get better. Very well respected player around the league like having another coach. So in all honesty he could help the parent club being at AAA more then on the majors, Either way he has made more money then all of us.
WildKnights
Dude just stop. Every time the Cubs sign a cheap low risk low reward player it’s “dumpster diving Theo” like no mother teams make the EXACT same moves. Then when the Cubs spend money they are “buying a championship “ cause of money bag owners. Can’t have it both ways man. What do you want them to do?
Varmit
Almost as many white sox replies as Cub fans. I see this on most all Cub postings on this site. All good ribbing I suppose.
dbec72
Cuns better do something because they are currently worse than last year’s 3rd place team. Although letting Maddon go has to be worth a few wins or so.
ChiSoxCity
111 years, two championships.
Just embrace the suck.
WhiteSox4ever
Funny shi*t
cubsfanbudman1908
Some where, the late great Pants Rowland is laughing in his grave.
tycobb016
Is there no urgency?
baseballlifer
says the bitter Sox fan
swinging wood
Ironic. That’s how many the WS have over 113 years.
ChiSox_Fan
Cubs are a joke!
I guess they will finish behind Pittsburgh.
The Human Toilet
Coming from the Sox fan that has a Cubs alert on his phone. Lol
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
White Sox finish behind KC at least once in the next 4-5 years. 3rd or worse the rest of the time.
SweetHome
You do know that the White Sox also have won two championships in last 111 years too, right?
Georgiajeff
Don’t confuse him with facts and logic.
ChiSoxCity
Yep, I can do math too.
Plenty of suck to embrace for all the suckers in Chicago.
berniesstein
He’s a nice depth piece. Always loved him with the Brewers. Can play anywhere and is a really good clubhouse guy.
dray16
I absolutely hate this ownership.
desertbull
Addison Russell > Perez
2id
I’ll bet Perez is a better family man though.
Marytown1
Look at the bright side. When the cubs are down 10-0 they can put Hernan in and save the bullpen.
AtlSoxFan
It could be worse.
At least theo signed this guy to a minor league deal.
Our new gm signed a similar dumpster piece to a major league deal at 3m + incentives.
Rallyshirt
Back in 2016, Perez swiped 34 bags and delivered 13 long balls with a .272/.302/.428 slash line in 430 trips to the plate for the Brewers. But that has proven to be a high-water mark. Last year, he managed only a .228/.252/.379 batting line in 246 plate appearances.
Nice
bigbadjohnny
that’s it for Descalso !
chitown311
Cubs just won the offseason.
Fred K. Burke
Theo means business this off season. More meaningful signings on the way.
angt222
Wanted the Mets to sign him..
KnoxReds13
It’s Happening….
megaj
A roster spot could open up if Almora, Descalso, or Kemp are included in a trade. I would actually rather have the base stealing ability and defense Perez can bring in key situations off the bench over Kemp or Almora. Cubs were one of the worst teams in baseball for base running and defense in 2019, so this isn’t that bad a pickup.
csamson11
Jeez, I forgot Descalso was still on the team, but out of those 3 I would certainly hope he’s the first to go followed by Almora.
The Human Toilet
People getting worked up on minor league signings always makes me laugh.
rememberthecoop
I’m laughing to avoid crying. As a Cubs fan, this is pathetic.
DTD_ATL
So it’s bad to sign someone to a minor league contract? Step away from the ledge.
Georgiajeff
I notice there is a good bit of teeth gnashing over this one. I wouldn’t worry to much about it as its a minor league deal, Can he be any worse than Descalso?
csamson11
No matter what he does. there is no chance he’s worse than Descalso.
ChiSoxCity
cubs fans probably sick and tired of “under-the-radar” low-risk moves from this regime.
It’s always an indication no significant changes imminent.
All just part of the great plan to suck in new and unusual ways.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Stop messing around and re-sign castellanos and whatever top relievers are available. possibly dallas keuchel. Herman Perez isnt good
megaj
That would be insanely stupid to sign either Castellanos or Keuchel. Just. Stop. Please.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
They need castellanos especially after they trade Bryant. And Keuchel would be their #3 starter they desperately need.
stubby66
Will take him on a team everytime over Addison Russell great family man never will embarrass an organization
ChiSoxCity
And he’s not any good. Perfect fit.
Bill walsh
Cubs were 2 Nd to last in base stealing behind even slower Twins and tied for last in base running outs.
No speed, none anywhere except wild Baez.
ChiSoxCity
cubs have some speed. Stealing bases isn’t part of their organizational doctrine. A ton of teams don’t run anymore.
megaj
I wasn’t aware any real speed on the roster last year. Baez is a brilliant base runner, but not that fast. I think Bryant is actually the fastest runner on the current roster, but he doesn’t have the X factor like Baez does to put it to any real use.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Bryant is an excellent base runner. Best first to 3rd. best 2nd to home. He tagged up from 3rd on a fly ball to left field. mot may players have that ability
Bill walsh
Cubs need speed. Cubs were 2 Nd to last in base stealing behind even slower Twins and tied for last in base running outs.
No speed, none anywhere except wild Baez.
SupremeZeus
(Bob Uecker voice) Hernan Perez
Georgiajeff
Rest easy fans. This one puts us over the top.