Pirates trade catcher Michael Perez to the Mets

A day after designating Michael Perez for assignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded the catcher to the New York Mets for cash considerations on Saturday. 

Perez, 29, has been a solid defensive catcher throughout his MLB career, but a lackluster threat as a batter. In 39 games with the Pirates this season, Perez is batting .150 with six home runs and 11 RBI. Behind the plate, he allowed only one passed ball in 294.2 innings.

The Mets have been in need of help at catcher with Tomás Nido and James McCann primarily filling the role this season. While McCann was an All-Star in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, he's batting .183 this season with two home runs and 11 RBI. McCann is currently on the injured list with an oblique strain. Nido has been slightly better with a .210 batting average.

New York is firmly in the playoff picture with a 58-36 record that has the team atop the NL East standings. With the Mets in need of an upgrade at catcher, the team has been linked to Chicago Cubs All-Star Willson Contreras ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

Perez won't fill that need of an offensive threat at catcher, but adds more depth for New York at a position of need.