Nationals, Perez Agree to Minor League Deal

Free agent LHP Odalis Perez has offers from both the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox to come pitch for their team in 2008. Perez went 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA in 26 starts for Kansas City in 2007. His ERA over a nine-season career is 4.47. It is not known if Perez is being offered a major-league contract from either team.

Wow, the desperation for pitching depth is incredible. Perez throws a horrible season, and two teams are vying for his services. The Nationals would probably give him a spot in their rotation that currently includes such luminaries as John Lannan and Matt Chico. The Red Sox would use him to give youngster Clay Buchholz competition in camp. I don’t know why teams are stooping this low. There may be hope for Kyle Lohse’s ridiculous demands yet.

UPDATE: The Nationals have signed Perez to a minor league contract that will pay him $850,000 if he makes the big-league squad.