The New York Mets have made a low-risk move to shore up their bullpen, signing left-handed reliever Cionel Perez to a minor league contract. Perez was recently designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals after a tough start to the 2026 season.

This isn't the Perez that Orioles fans remember from 2022, when he posted a sparkling 1.40 ERA over 57.2 innings while allowing just two home runs. Back then, he was a reliable setup option for Baltimore, leaning on a 96 mph fastball to keep hitters off balance. But the last two seasons have been a different story. In 2025 with the Orioles, he was tagged for 20 runs in just 21.2 innings. And his brief stint with the Nationals this year wasn't much better—a 6.19 ERA with more walks (11) than strikeouts (nine) in 16 frames.

Still, the Mets are hoping a change of scenery can help Perez rediscover his form. The team currently sits in last place in the NL East, far from the contender status many predicted before the season. One signing won't turn things around overnight, but adding veteran depth to the bullpen is a step in the right direction. Perez will likely report to Triple-A Syracuse to get some work in before potentially joining the big league club.

As MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams noted, "There's no dire need for left-handed relief help in the Mets organization, but there's also no harm in taking a low-cost look at a 30-year-old with a 96 mph heater who was a quality setup option for the Orioles not long ago."

For Mets fans, this is a classic buy-low move. If Perez can recapture even a fraction of his 2022 magic, he could become a valuable piece in a bullpen that needs all the help it can get. And at the cost of a minor league deal, there's really nothing to lose.