Orioles sign Pérez to avoid arbitration hearing, reacquire Nevin from Tigers

The Orioles are down to four unsigned players who are eligible for arbitration and could go to hearings.

The team announced today that it reached agreement with left-handed reliever Cionel Pérez on a contract for 2024. He also received a club option for 2025.

Pérez sought $1.4 million and the Orioles offered $1.1 million when the sides exchanged figures on Jan. 11. The file-and-go approach to hearings has its exceptions, with deals struck that include options.

Outfielder Austin Hays, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and relievers Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb remain unsigned.

Hays is seeking $6.3 million and the Orioles are offering $5.85 million. O'Hearn is seeking $3.8 million and the club is offering $3.2 million. Coulombe’s side submitted $2.4 million and the Orioles countered at $2.2 million. Webb is seeking $1 million and the club is offering $925,000.

Outfielder Anthony Santander is the only player who’s gone to a hearing since Mike Elias was hired in November 2018 as executive vice president/general manager. Santander lost in 2021 when a three-person panel awarded him the $2.1 million offered by the Orioles instead of the $2.475 million figure that his agency filed.

Pérez, first-time eligible, will be kept busy again in the bullpen after appearing in 65 games last season and posting a 3.54 ERA and 1.556 WHIP in 53 1/3 innings. Left-handed hitters slashed .213/.315/.287 against him, but right-handers hit .305/.390/.381.

The first half was a struggle for Pérez, who registered a 4.45 ERA, 1.780 WHIP and .309 average against in 33 games before the break. He had a 2.35 ERA, 1.261 WHIP and .202 average against in 32 second-half appearances.

Pérez could be counted among four lefties in the ‘pen on Opening Day. Coulombe is a certainty if healthy, and DL Hall and Cole Irvin are possibilities if they aren’t in the rotation.

The club reached agreements with eight players at the deadline prior to exchanging figures:

Irvin: $2 million
Santander: $11.7 million
Dillon Tate: $1.5 million
John Means: $3.325 million
Cedric Mullins: $6.325 million
Ryan Mountcastle: $4.137 million
Ramón Urías: $2.1 million
Tyler Wells: $1.9625 million

* Tyler Nevin is back in the organization.

The Orioles acquired Nevin from the Tigers tonight for cash considerations. Their 40-man roster has 39 players.

Nevin, who's out of minor league options, came to the Orioles from the Rockies in August 2020 in the Mychal Givens trade. He appeared in 64 games over two seasons and batted .205/.312/.292 with six doubles, three home runs and 19 RBIs in 202 plate appearances.

The Tigers purchased Nevin's contract from the Orioles on Jan. 1, 2023 and he batted .200 with a .622 OPS in 41 games. He had four stints with Detroit, missing most of spring training and the start of the regular season with a left oblique strain.

Nevin, the son of former major league infielder and Angels manager Phil Nevin, batted .326/.400/.543 with 15 home runs in 87 games with Triple-A Toledo.