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3 players the Boston Red Sox shouldn’t bring back for 2022 season

By Sean Penney

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during a press conference during a spring training team workout on February 21, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during a press conference during a spring training team workout on February 21, 2021 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox starter Martín Pérez
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 13: Martin Perez #54 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game at Target Field on April 13, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Red Sox LHP Martin Perez

Martin Perez was arguably the most consistent starting pitcher from a rotation that was in shambles during the shortened 2020 season. The same cannot be said once Boston’s rotation was back at full strength this year.

Perez began in the rotation for an underwhelming season in which he went 7-8 with a 4.77 ERA in 22 starts. He owned a 6.26 ERA over five starts in July, then got pulled with only one out in the second inning after allowing three earned runs in his only August start.

The Red Sox shook up their rotation once Chris Sale returned from Tommy John surgery and Tanner Houck cemented his role with this pitching staff. Perez was one of the casualties, bouncing to the bullpen where he pitched primarily in mop-up duty. His 4.50 ERA in 14 relief appearances wasn’t going to convince anyone that he’s a viable bullpen arm they can count on moving forward.

Declining the $6 million option on Perez’s contract is one of the easiest choices the Red Sox will make this offseason. Boston faced a similar scenario last winter and opted to decline his option, only to bring him back on a cheaper deal. They are unlikely to repeat that decision this year. Perez is a viable back of the rotation pitcher but the Red Sox have better internal options. Boston won’t commit anything close to the price they paid him this year without a clear role available for him next season.

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