A day later appoint Michael Perez to the taskPittsburgh Pirates catcher transaction to the New York Mets for a cash review on Saturday.
Perez, 29, has been a solid defensive player throughout his MLB career, but is as faint a threat as a hitter. In 39 games against the Pirates this season, Perez is winning .150 with six home runs and 11 RBI runs. Behind the board, he conceded only one pass in 294.2 innings.
The Mets have needed help catching up to Tomás Nido and James McCann has largely taken over the role this season. While McCann was an All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, he has beaten 0.183 this season with two home runs and 11 RBIs. McCann is currently on the injury list with an oblique strain. Nido is slightly ahead with a hit average of 0.210.
New York is firmly in the playoffs with a 58-36 record and the team tops the NL East standings. With the Mets in need of an upgrade in the catcher, the team has affiliated with Chicago Cubs All-Star Willson Contreras before the August 2 trading deadline.
Perez won’t fill the need for an attacking threat in the catcher, but adds depth to New York where it’s needed.
