SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Roberto Pérez sported a big grin as he packed up his black-and-orange bag full of catcher’s equipment Saturday afternoon. The 34-year-old backstop, in camp on a minor-league deal, was informed that morning that he had made the club.
The selection of Pérez likely means fellow non-roster catcher Austin Wynns or third-year catcher Joey Bart will be the odd man out in the four-way competition. The Giants have strongly indicated they plan to enter the season with three catchers, with Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol serving in a hybrid outfield role in addition to third-string catching duties.
Pérez’s status as a non-roster invitee means that the Giants will need to add him to their 40-man roster, but that shouldn’t be an issue, as three spots are expected to open up when Luis González, Luke Jackson and Thomas Szapucki are placed on the 60-day injured list. By making the roster, Pérez will earn a $2.5 million salary with an additional $1.5 million in possible incentives.
Since signing a minor-league deal with San Francisco about two weeks before pitchers and catchers, Pérez has separated himself in the competition with his defensive acumen and extensive track record behind the plate. He earned rave reviews from the starting staff, with Alex Cobb calling him a “magician” when it came to his pitch framing.
Pérez earned Gold Gloves with Cleveland in 2019 and 2020 and also turned in his best offensive season in 2019, hitting 24 home runs with a .239/.321/.452 slash line in 449 plate appearances. However in nine major-league seasons, 2019 was also Pérez’s only one playing in at least half his team’s games.
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