Today is the last day teams have to offer arbitration to their own players who have filed for free agency, and as is reported by Roger Rubin for The Daily News, the Mets plan to do so with LHP Oliver Perez.
We all know that Perez (read: Boras) is going to refuse the offer and test free agency, which will turn out to be pretty interesting. It’s been speculated by many that Ollie’s going to seek roughly 5 years at around $15 million per, with Carlos Silva’s contract being the main benchmark. Why in the world he got a 4-year, $48 million deal is beyond me. Thanks alot, Carlos…
In the 2008 season, Perez pitched himself to a 10-7 record, while striking out 180 in 194 innings with a 4.22 ERA.
I like Ollie, I really do, but we all know his issues. It’s all upstairs, and you never know if you’re getting Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde with him. Versus Florida, he’s given up 9 earned runs over 36.1 innings in 6 games. And versus Philly? 1 run over 26 innings in 4 starts. The problem is when you look at him against bad teams like Washington: 15 earned runs over 15.2 IP in 3 starts. While I’d like to have him on board as a staple in the rotation with the potential to have ace-like starts, I’m not sure I’m willing to overpay him in years or dollars…
Rubin goes on to report that if the Mets do lose Perez, the team stands to gain 1st and 2nd round draft picks with a sandwich pick as compensation since he’s a Type A free agent.
Pete Lappin (3)
