MLB Rumors: Red Sox ‘Close To Agreement’ With Pitcher Martín Perez

Perez was Boston's most reliable starter in 2020

The Red Sox did not pick up Martín Perez's option after the abbreviated 2020 season, but that didn't mean Boston did not want to bring back the starting pitcher.

Now, it appears the Red Sox are close to an agreement to keep the left-hander in a Boston uniform, according to reports from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, MassLive's Chris Cotillo and MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Free-agent left-hander Martín Perez close to agreement with Red Sox, source tells The Athletic. Deal will be for one year with a club option. Red Sox had declined Perez’s $6.85M option on Nov. 1.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2021

Perez gets $4.5 million with a $6 million option or $500k buyout for 2022. https://t.co/tmHZuuhIM3
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 16, 2021

Martin Perez back to Red Sox. 1 year plus option
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 16, 2021

Perez was Boston's most reliable starter during the pandemic-shortened season in 2020 with ace Eduardo Rodriguez unexpectedly missing the season due to complications from COVID-19 and Nathan Eovaldi missing time, as well.

Perez went 3-5 last season with a 4.50 ERA.