The Cubs have signed veteran catcher Carlos Pérez to a minor league deal, according to the transactions tracker on Pérez’s MLB.com profile page. The deal presumably includes an invite to MLB Spring Training.
Pérez, 34, should not be confused with his younger brother and fellow catcher Carlos Pérez, who is currently a free agent but played parts of two MLB seasons with the White Sox. The elder Pérez signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela before making his pro debut in 2008 and has spent parts of five seasons in the majors since then. A well-regarded defensive catcher, Pérez made his big league debut with the Angels back in 2015 but slashed just .224/.267/.332 (64 wRC+) in 595 plate appearances across 184 games and three seasons in Anaheim. Pérez split the 2018 season between the Braves and Rangers but made it into just 28 games while posting a ghastly -4 wRC+ in 75 trips to the plate.
After that lackluster showing in 2018, Pérez shuffled between the Orioles, A’s, and Rockies systems over the years before finally resurfacing in the majors last year at the age of 32. The 2023 campaign was arguably the best of Pérez’s career as he served as Oakland’s primary backup behind Shea Langeliers. His .226/.293/.357 slash line in 68 games for the A’s was well below league average (83 wRC+) overall but roughly on par with the expectations associated with a typical big league backup. Pérez returned to the A’s on a minor league deal last winter but did not ultimately crack the club’s big league roster this year despite hitting quite well at Triple-A. In 112 games with the club’s Las Vegas affiliate, Pérez slashed a strong .260/.344/.544 with 27 homers and 27 doubles. Those numbers are inflated by the offense-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League, but even when adjusted for that environment are still good for a 114 wRC+ at the level.
Pérez elected minor league free agency last month in search of greener pastures, which he seems to have found in Chicago. The Cubs appear mostly set at the big league level with a catching tandem of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, but it’s possible that Pérez could be the next man up in the event of an injury, earning a big league opportunity similar to the ones Christian Bethancourt and Tomás Nido got with the club last year. From Chicago’s perspective, meanwhile, Pérez offers a non-roster depth option behind the plate who can also serve as a mentor to young pitchers at the Triple-A level like Cade Horton as well as the club’s top catching prospect, Moisés Ballesteros. Ballesteros reached Triple-A at just 20 years old last year on the power of his exciting bat, but his defensive skills are questionable and it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be able to stick behind the plate in the majors.
Two brothers with the same name? Why?
Like the Wilmer(s) Flores!
“This is my brother Darrell and this is my other brother Darrell”
Bob Newhart show on the 80’s..
AND playing the same position, to create utter confusion. On the plus side, their parent’s have the ultimate sense of humor.
In the 70s, the Vikings and 49ers each had an all-star WR named agent Washington at the same time. Very confusing. Also, OFs Billy Beane and Billy Bean both played at the same time. But for other teams.
…and played for other teams
Just a guess, but likely their father’s name too-and the dad may have some ego issues.
George Foreman names all 5 of his sons George ♂️
Other cultures exist besides the only one you know.
Ask George Forman.
Just like Rougned Oder and Rougned Oder, mama didn’t want to be wrong when blaming one of her sons
Two brothers with the same first and last name and both are catchers in MLB.
Perhaps you should not be confused. But you will be……..
Imaginative parents!
Hi I’m Larry, this is my brother Carlos, and this is my other brother Carlos.
They’re all named Carlos
Remember when Carlos Perez hit cleanup for the A’s
@reynaldo’s. That might’ve been Carlos pena
Still doesn’t compete with George Foreman naming all five sons George Foreman.
At least Foreman can use several blows to the head as an excuse not sure about the Perez’ father
And the girls are georgina
How many kids does he have?
Has anyone ever seen them both in the same room at the same time ?
Maybe they signed the wrong brother.
I remember the Carlos Perez that pitched for the Expos and later the Dodgers in the late 90’s who would always dance around on the mound after every strikeout…
This move should put the cubbies over the top now that they lost out out on injury prone miami pitcher
And what happens at 3rd base if rookie Shaw goes down?
Miles Mastrobuoni happens…
Gage Workman! Supposedly, he’s a Hoover there.
This is just wrong…
Reminds me of the 2 short stops who played in the late 90s with the same name.
Alex Gonzalez
Phillies got luzardo for nothing more than 80th ranked pipeline after attempting to fleece cubs. Maybe baseball sees cubs minor leagues as overrated.
Aww, poor Sox fan.
Did you ever notice that you never see Carlos Pérez and Carlos Pérez in the same place? I think they are the same person.
Maybe the parents anticipated that their sons will become marginal MLB players, and having the same name would be their best pathway toward generating comments on mlbtraderumors.com
Wow, Phillies get Luzardo, Hoyer reacts instantly and signs minor leaguer, is the Hoyer way, baby.
I’ve heard that Kyle Tucker guy Hoyer traded for is pretty good at baseball. I mean you have to give credit where credit is due.
tucker trade is great, but overall Hoyer has underperformed since he’s been in charge, in comparison Dombrowski was hired by the Phillies in 2021 in a worse situation than the Cubs, and the Phillies have outperformed the Cubs since 2021, the Cubs should be in a similar position to the Phillies right now..
I don’t know about that. Dombrowski didn’t need to hold a fire sale. Jed’s been fair. It could be worse.