For many weeks now, the Atlanta Braves have been carefully combing the free agent and trade markets for rotation help. That search seemed to be primarily focused on arms that would actually be upgrades over who they have right now and not on "guys that are warm bodies". However, their latest signing might suggest that their current efforts are not likely to bear fruit.
We know that the Braves had interest in Tatsuya Imai and were recently connected to Lucas Giolito as well. Beyond that, it has felt as though Alex Anthopoulos has been waiting in the shadows for the right opportunity to come by and present itself.
However, that the Braves just signed Martin Perez to a minor league deal suggests that either current asking prices for the remaining starters are too high for their liking and/or that they don't see themselves winning any bidding wars for the guys they like.
The Braves and LHP Martin Perez have agreed to a Minor League deal, sources tell @JustBB_Media.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) January 30, 2026
Perez, 35 in April, pitched to a 3.54 ERA in 56 IP with the White Sox in 2025. Owns a career 4.41 ERA over 14 seasons. Was an All Star with the Rangers in 2022.
Braves signing Martin Perez may be sign that Atlanta could be making last minute offseason pivot
Perez is just one of those guys that is always around and few can understand how he has managed to stick in the big leagues. He had a great 2022 season, but his career has largely been 14 seasons of passable #5 starter production with few thrills and little upside. Perez is pretty good at limiting hard contact, but the rest of his pitching metrics range from meh to, in the case of his ability to miss bats, downright bad.
One way this could be perceived is that the Braves have realized that the prices for guys like Giolito, Zac Gallen, and Chris Bassitt are just more than they are willing to pay given their expected production. One potential hang-up with all of these guys is that anything beyond a one-year deal could be a tough sell to the Braves.
That said, this is just a minor league signing, so there is little financial or roster risk in giving Perez a look. If he comes into spring training and doesn't look good, Atlanta can cut him loose and there is no harm done. However, what will be interesting to see next is if we start hearing that the Braves are bowing out of the free agent market.