Martín Pérez – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Martín Pérez has been a steady presence on major league mounds since his 2012 debut with the Texas Rangers. The Venezuelan lefty has moved between several teams over the years, most recently landing with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year, $8 million contract in January 2024.

With career earnings approaching $54 million and his current stint with the Pirates underway, Pérez keeps showing his value as a reliable left-handed starter in the big leagues.

At 32, the World Series champion has seen both highs and lows. After starting 16 games for Pittsburgh this season, he holds a 2-5 record with a 5.00+ ERA.

Even with some recent struggles, his experience and unique left-handed delivery keep him relevant in a league always hungry for southpaw starters.

Pérez’s journey through MLB has taken him to the Rangers, Twins, Red Sox, and now the Pirates. Before Pittsburgh, he spent time with the Chicago White Sox on a $5 million deal.

He’s managed to adapt to new teams and keep earning solid contracts. That says a lot about his persistence and the ongoing demand for veteran pitching.

Early Life and International Signing

Martín Pérez kicked off his baseball journey in his humble Venezuelan hometown. His natural talent and work ethic set the stage for his professional career.

His path to the big leagues feels like a classic international signing story—full of challenges, but also some real triumphs.

Background and Hometown

Martín Pérez was born on April 4, 1991, in Guanare, Venezuela—a city that’s turned out plenty of baseball talent. He grew up in modest circumstances and showed athletic ability early on.

His parents spotted his talent and did their best to support his baseball dreams, even with limited resources. The young lefty practiced on dusty fields in Portuguesa state, sometimes with makeshift equipment.

Venezuela’s rich baseball culture shaped Pérez, who looked up to fellow countryman and MLB pitcher Johan Santana. By age 14, he’d developed a fastball and change-up that caught scouts’ eyes.

Local coaches helped him refine his mechanics. His family made sacrifices so he could attend showcases and training sessions.

Journey to Professional Baseball

Texas Rangers scouts discovered Pérez when he was 16. He impressed at several tryouts with his advanced pitching, and the Rangers signed him for $580,000 as an international free agent in 2007.

The signing process involved multiple scouting evaluations and physical exams, plus the usual negotiations and paperwork.

At just 16, Pérez left his hometown and headed to the Rangers’ academy in the Dominican Republic. That transition wasn’t easy—he had to adjust to pro training, new cultures, and being away from family.

The Rangers’ investment paid off quickly. Pérez moved up the minor league system fast, thanks to his talent, drive, and the organization’s development plan.

Professional Career Overview

Martín Pérez has built a resilient major league career spanning over a decade. He’s developed as a left-handed pitcher across several teams, picking up some notable achievements along the way.

Major League Debut and Development

Martín Pérez made his MLB debut on June 27, 2012, with the Texas Rangers. As a young prospect from Venezuela, he came in with big expectations.

His early career brought the usual rookie adjustments. Pérez spent his first seven seasons with the Rangers, working on his sinker and changeup.

He faced a major setback in 2014 when he underwent Tommy John surgery. That recovery meant a long stretch off the mound, but it really became a turning point in his career development.

Over time, Pérez shifted from being just a hard-thrower to a more complete pitcher. He started relying on command and movement, not just power.

Texas Rangers and Career Growth

Pérez returned to the Rangers’ rotation after surgery and showed more consistency. In 2016-2017, he became a dependable middle-rotation starter.

The Rangers moved on from him after the 2018 season. Pérez then signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2019—a short but productive stop.

In 2020, Pérez joined the Boston Red Sox. He showed his versatility in Boston, working both as a starter and out of the bullpen when needed.

He went back to the Rangers in 2022, and that homecoming really seemed to revitalize his career. Returning to Texas brought him renewed success and confidence.

All-Star Selection and Key Achievements

Pérez’s perseverance finally paid off in 2022. He earned his first All-Star selection during his return to the Rangers.

That year, he posted a 2.89 ERA in 196.1 innings—his best season by the numbers. The All-Star nod felt like validation after years of battling injuries and role changes.

He’s shown real durability over his career, often pitching more than 150 innings when healthy. Teams have valued that reliability.

In 2023, after another solid season, Pérez signed with the Chicago White Sox on a one-year, $5 million contract. His journey really shows how a promising prospect can grow into a crafty veteran and stick around in the majors.

Recent Teams and Notable Seasons

Martín Pérez has moved between several MLB teams lately, showing his durability and adaptability as a left-handed starter. He’s contributed to multiple clubs and kept his reputation as a steady veteran on the mound.

Pittsburgh Pirates Stint

Pérez joined the Pirates in 2023 after a trade from the Texas Rangers. He worked alongside young pitcher Quinn Priester, helping mentor the next generation.

He posted a 4.76 ERA across 16 starts with the Pirates. The team mainly used him as a back-end rotation option, valuing his experience and ability to eat innings.

His groundball-heavy style fit well at PNC Park, though consistency sometimes eluded him. When the Pirates acquired Jared Shuster in a midseason trade, Pérez’s role shrank a bit, but he stayed a steady presence.

Chicago White Sox and Triple-A Charlotte

Pérez signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox for 2024. The deal included $3.5 million for 2024 and a $10 million mutual option for 2025 or a $1.5 million buyout.

The White Sox, in a rebuilding phase, sent Pérez to Triple-A Charlotte after some early struggles. He made 8 starts in Charlotte before returning to the big league rotation.

“I needed to find my rhythm again,” Pérez told reporters after his return. “Sometimes taking a step back helps you move forward stronger.”

The White Sox leaned on Pérez as a veteran arm after they traded Dylan Cease to the Padres. Even with the team’s struggles, Pérez kept a professional attitude and continued mentoring younger players.

San Diego Padres and Comparisons

The Padres picked up Pérez at the 2024 trade deadline for extra pitching depth. In San Diego, he joined a rotation with Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish.

Pérez bounced between starting and relief roles, showing his versatility. His 4.11 ERA with the Padres was better than his numbers in Chicago.

Unlike the Padres’ power pitchers, Pérez relied on pinpoint control and inducing weak contact. He mixed his changeup and sinker to keep hitters off balance.

Padres manager Mike Shildt praised him, saying, “Martín knows how to pitch. He understands game situations and rarely makes mental mistakes. That’s invaluable during a playoff chase.”

Contract Details and Payroll Impact

Martín Pérez’s contract situation has changed a lot over his career. His latest deals show his value as an experienced lefty, and they impact team payroll and roster flexibility.

Latest Contract Structure

Pérez signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal includes $5 million guaranteed for the 2025 season, showing the team’s commitment.

The contract pays $3.5 million for 2025, with a $10 million mutual option for 2026. If neither side picks up the option, Pérez gets a $1.5 million buyout. That setup gives both sides some flexibility.

Before joining Chicago, Pérez finished a one-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Over his career, he’s earned a lot—his estimated net worth is $53.8 million.

Qualifying Offer Status

Pérez has handled the qualifying offer system pretty well. Lately, teams haven’t given him qualifying offers, so he’s entered free agency without draft pick compensation attached.

That’s made him more appealing to teams—signing him doesn’t cost them draft capital. It also gives him more leverage in negotiations.

For pitchers in their mid-30s, skipping the qualifying offer is a big plus. It removes obstacles and keeps the market open, and Pérez’s reps have timed his free agency well to maximize his value.

With no qualifying offer issues, he’s managed to land guaranteed money, even with the ups and downs that come with being a veteran pitcher.

Team Payroll and Salary Implications

Pérez is making $5 million with the White Sox, which feels like a reasonable investment for a veteran starter these days. Chicago managed to fit this move into their payroll plan, picking up some extra experience for their rotation without breaking the bank.

When Pérez played for Pittsburgh, he signed for $8 million—a much bigger chunk of the Pirates’ payroll. Roster Resource even pointed out that his deal pushed Pittsburgh’s payroll to about $66 million.

Pérez gives teams a lot of flexibility:

• One-year deals mean teams aren’t stuck long-term
• His salary usually works for most budgets
• He brings veteran know-how but doesn’t block young pitchers from getting their shot

Teams working with tight budgets can see Pérez as a cost-effective way to add some stability to their pitching staff. He usually signs contracts that balance fair value with minimal commitment, which makes him appealing for clubs in all sorts of situations.

Career Statistics and Performance

Martín Pérez has put together a pretty impressive stat sheet over more than a decade in MLB. Teams have relied on his durability and his knack for eating up innings—he’s become a valuable rotation piece for more than a few organizations.

Innings and Appearances

You could call Pérez a workhorse starter. He’s often pitched deep into games, and in his best years, he’s topped 180 innings with ease.

In 2022, when he made the All-Star team with the Rangers, Pérez threw 196.1 innings over 32 starts—one of his best runs.

Across his career, he’s racked up over 1,500 innings and made more than 250 starts. While he’s mostly started, he’s also stepped into relief roles when his teams needed it.

He broke into the majors with the Texas Rangers on June 27, 2012. Since then, he’s been a regular in big league rotations, usually making 30 or more starts when he’s healthy.

Wins, Losses, and ERA

Pérez’s win-loss record shows the ups and downs you’d expect from someone who’s played for a bunch of different teams. His best year came in 2022, when he posted a 12-8 mark and a career-low 2.89 ERA with Texas.

Usually, his ERA sits somewhere between 4.00 and 4.50. Some years have been better than others—he’s had seasons in the high-2.00s, but also some rough patches with an ERA over 5.00.

Before heading to the Chicago White Sox in 2025, Pérez spent part of 2024 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making 16 starts. His career win-loss record really reflects his ability to bounce back after tough years.

Strikeouts, Hits, and Runs Allowed

Pérez has never been the type to rack up strikeouts—he usually averages 5-7 per nine innings. Instead, he focuses on getting ground balls and forcing weak contact.

He leans on his sinker and changeup to keep hitters off balance. That combo helps limit hard contact, but he typically gives up around 9 hits per nine innings.

He’s good at working out of trouble and keeping things from unraveling. When it comes to home runs, Pérez usually keeps the ball in the yard better than most, and that knack for avoiding big innings has made him a steady middle-rotation guy even without huge strikeout numbers.

His ground ball approach means hitters put the ball in play, so he gives up more hits, but he doesn’t allow a ton of extra-base hits or runs.

Personal Life, Injuries, and Net Worth

Martín Pérez tries to balance his baseball career with family life, all while dealing with the injuries that come with pitching for so many years. His earnings and investments have grown steadily as he’s stuck around in the majors.

Injury History and Recovery

Pérez has dealt with his share of injuries, and they’ve definitely affected his time on the mound. Back in 2018, he landed on the 15-day injured list for elbow inflammation, and that slowed him down for a while.

He also battled back from Tommy John surgery earlier in his career. That’s a tough rehab for any pitcher, but he managed to return and keep his career on track.

In 2022, Pérez stayed healthy, which helped him put together one of his best seasons. That good stretch led to more contract offers.

Most recently, while pitching for the Pirates in 2024, he made 16 starts before health issues popped up again. Those injuries played a part in his 2-5 record that year with Pittsburgh.

Net Worth and Financial Ventures

Pérez’s baseball career has really set him up financially. According to Salary Sport, his net worth sits around $53,816,681, mostly from a string of MLB contracts he’s signed over the years.

Here are some of his more recent deals:

• 2024: One-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
• 2023: Contract with the Texas Rangers
• 2025: Currently playing on a $5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox

Pérez seems to handle his finances with intention, but he keeps the details of his investments and business moves pretty close to the chest.

He’s managed to stick around in the big leagues for quite a while, playing for teams like the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and now the Chicago White Sox.

You don’t see him in many commercials or big endorsement campaigns, so it looks like most of his wealth comes straight from his baseball salary and maybe some smart money decisions behind the scenes.