Now healthy, catcher Roberto Perez taking a crash course to get to know Pirates pitchers

BRADENTON, Fla. – How Roberto Perez came from Cleveland to Pittsburgh is a story that starts in Toronto, where Ben Cherington worked before becoming Pirates general manager.

Cherington gained insight into the two-time AL Gold Glove winner from listening to Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins rave for three years about Perez’s personality from their time together in Cleveland.

Days after trading NL Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins in late November, Cherington wasted little time signing Perez to a one-year, $5 million free-agent contract in hopes the eight-year veteran would mentor the Pirates’ young pitching staff.

“His reputation, not just as a defensive player — the part that we can all see — but his reputation inside the clubhouse and how much he cares for pitchers was definitely an important factor,” Cherington said. “You think about (Guardians) players, there’s a lot of really good ones during the time Ross was there, and he probably talked more about Roberto than anyone.”

The Pirates like that the 33-year-old has experiencing catching the likes of AL Cy Young winners Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber. Perez wasted no time getting acquainted with Pirates pitchers, studying the staff on video soon after signing. He already has caught side sessions with right-handed starter JT Brubaker and lefty reliever Anthony Banda at LECOM Park.

“It’s a huge sign for us,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “After we traded (Stallings), I think we needed somebody that could solidify our group. We’re talking about a guy with multiple Gold Gloves and has caught some of the best pitchers in the game over the last 10 years. So it was extremely important for us.”

The key for Perez is communication, so he’s making it a point to get to know each pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses in the same way Stallings did by talking to them before and after Grapefruit League games. Perez prefers catching pitchers live to watching video — it allows him to get a feel for the ball’s movement — and is trying to catch a new player every day so that he can learn about the staff as soon as possible.

“I’m trying to do anything possible to get to know everybody,” Perez said. “It’s gonna take awhile. I’m not saying it’s gonna happen in a month. There’s time. I want them to feel comfortable with me. I know they had Stallings for the last few years. I’m new here, so I’m gonna be back there for them. Whatever they want, I’ll be there. But I’m gonna try to help them as much as I can.”

Whether Perez can be an everyday catcher is the biggest question mark, given his recent history of right (throwing) shoulder injuries. He played in 32 of 60 games in 2020, then was limited to 44 games last season after undergoing surgery on his ring finger and going on the injured list with a right shoulder inflammation and back spasms.

The Pirates put Perez through a risk assessment and physical, Cherington said, and “felt pretty good about where he was.” They liked that he had a plan to train in the offseason and play winter ball so that he would be healthy enough to endure a full season behind the plate.

“He looks good to us physically right now,” Cherington said. “No restrictions and, obviously, with any catcher, we’ll be mindful of the workload and consider that and continue to learn about him.”

The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder hasn’t hit his weight in five of his past six seasons, but Perez said he is “finally healthy” and wants to prove he can be the same type of player for the Pirates that he was for Cleveland in 2019. He slashed .239/.321/.452 with 23 home runs and 63 RBIs in 119 games that year and won his first AL Gold Glove.

“I’m trying to be the player that I was in 2019 or even better,” Perez said. “When I’m healthy, I know what kind of player I am. The last two years have been tough with my shoulder, but I need it. I need it in order to be behind the plate, throw guys out the way I know how to get guys out. It gives you confidence to be back there every day on a consistent basis. I’m just glad that I’m healthy and ready to get going.”

Perez got going earlier than usual in the offseason. Instead of shutting it down for a couple of months to recover, he strengthened his shoulder by throwing earlier and playing winter ball in his native Puerto Rico.

“The No. 1 priority for me is my health,” Perez said. “There’s nothing else. I’m just worried about my shoulder. I worked this offseason on rehabbing it. I know what kind of player I am, what I’m capable of doing when I’m healthy. I’m excited for this year. The last two years, that’s in the past. Now it’s a new year, new opportunity, new team, new faces. I’m excited about it.”