Brewers: Brock Holt vs. Hernan Perez, a comparison

The Milwaukee Brewers moved on from utility man Hernan Perez, and brought in utility man Brock Holt. Did the team get better with the change?

Hernan Perez has literally played everywhere for the Milwaukee Brewers, but in 2020, he’ll play for the Chicago Cubs organization. The Brewers moved on from Perez after 4 1/2 years with the team. The decision was seen as a cost-cutting move as Perez would have been arbitration eligible and owed a raise for the 2020 season. The team designated Perez for assignment and he elected to become a free agent.

Brock Holt was brought in to fill a similar role to what Perez offered the Brewers, but is he an upgrade?

Who offers more in the field?

Perez has spent time at every position on the diamond except catcher in his career. Perez has seen the most action at third base which is where he’s struggled the most. Holt has also played everywhere except catcher, but he spent the most time at second base. He’s actually a capable second baseman.

Who’s the better pitcher?

Perez has seen game action on the mound seven times, but owns a 7.36 ERA in 7 1/3 innings of work. Holt has never taken the mound.

Who’s better at the plate?

Holt owns a .271/.340/.374 slash line in over 2,000 plate appearances in the Majors. He’s clubbed 23 homers, and stolen 35 bases in 49 attempts.

Perez has a .252/.282/.387 slash line in just over 1,700 plate appearances at the Major League level. He’s hit 45 homers, and stolen 69 bases in 85 attempts.

Perez has a bit more power and speed, but Holt is better at not making outs.

How about their contracts?

Perez is signed to a one-year deal worth $1 million. Holt will earn $3.25 million in 2020, but also has a club option worth $5 million for 2021.

Anything else that sets these two apart?

Holt was an All-Star in 2015. He ‘exploded’ for two homers, and slashed .280/.349/.379 in 509 plate appearances. That’s one of the worst ‘All-Star’ seasons ever.

Holt is as good or better than Perez on defense and he’s capable of getting on-base regularly. Perez never could figure out the strike zone, but he does have a little more power and speed than Holt. Neither player will cost a ton, but this appears to be a sideways move for the Brewers on paper. Holt is a welcome addition to the team, and will provide much needed depth all over the diamond, but it doesn’t seem like the team is better off without Perez at this point. This looks like a sideways move, but it has the potential to succeed.