Report: Texas Rangers Offer 2-Year Extension To Free Agent

The Texas Rangers are focused on improving their pitching staff this winter, and one of their goals is to retain their own All-Star. According to a report, they're already in conversations about an extension with left-hander Martin Perez.

"An industry source said that the Rangers have offered Perez a two-year contract with an option for a third year," writes Rangers beat reporter Jeff Wilson. "General manager Chris Young told reporters at the general manager’s meetings in Las Vegas that the qualifying offer is “a realistic consideration,” but he didn’t rule out a deal at some point."

The QO is $19.65M, and while that is a bit hefty for a 31-year-old coming off his first truly strong season in nine years, Perez is one of their own: he spent the first seven years of his career with the Rangers, and coming back now to breakthrough as an All-Star in 2022 was a nice feelgood story for the team. 

Perez went 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, along with 169 strikeouts—all career highs for the 11-year vet. 

The Rangers went out and dealt for a veteran 5th starter on Wednesday, and are said to be at the forefront of the sweepstakes for the elite starters on the market, Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon.

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