If you are a fan of the New York Mets, you have to hope that the injury bug is handing out a few years worth of injuries this season. On Wednesday, the Mets announced that starting pitcher Oliver Perez needs knee surgery and will be out for the rest of the season. Perez will join 12 other players on the disabled list.
Unlike David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, who are also on the disabled list, the Mets likely won’t miss Perez much. After signing a three-year contract worth $36 million in the offseason, Perez has been horrible. …read more

The New York Mets have reportedly entered an agreement with free agent pitcher Oliver Perez. The deal is for three years and is worth a reported $36 million.
Perez, who we had ranked as the fourth best available baseball free agent, is coming off of an interesting season. While he pitched well at times, at other times he struggled with his control. Teammate Billy Wagner criticized Perez for his pitching in May.
For the season, Perez had an ERA of 4.22 to go along with a 10-7 record. While his 180 strikeouts in 194 innings was an impressive mark, his 105 …read more

1. Manny Ramirez
Could Ramirez be heading to the Giants?
2. Derek Lowe
The Mets are after Lowe.
3. Adam Dunn
Dunn might replace Ramirez in Los Angeles.
4. Milton Bradley
The latest rumors have the Cubs most interested.
5. Oliver Perez
Expect the Mets to retain him.
6. Pat Burrell
The Phillies look to be moving on.
7. Orlando Hudson
Sleeper of the free agent market.
8. Bobby Abreu
Breaking down but still a solid player.
9. Ben Sheets
Risky signing but could reward.
10. Randy Wolf
Could quietly be steal of the offseason.

Billy Wagner, the never quiet closer on the New York Mets, is having an MRI on his shoulder after experiencing tightness. Wagner is optimistic that he won’t have to miss much game action.
Wagner has seen his name in lights a lot this season. First he got into a little bit of trouble for calling Oliver Perez a “wall”. He then got upset with teammates for not talking to the media enough.
On the field, Wagner has been very good. He represented the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game and currently has a 2.20 ERA to …read more

Oliver Perez, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets, is reportedly close to being dangled by Mets management. Perez has allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts and could soon lose his spot in the rotation.
The good news for the Mets is that Perez should be quite easy to trade. Despite his struggles this season, he’s only 26-years-old and he has a reasonable contract. Last year he was 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.
A team that is willing to trade for Perez will have to overlook his current stats. With a 5-5 record and a …read more

Billy Wagner of the New York Mets, who never seems opposed to flapping his gums to the media, once again was criticized teammates after a game. Earlier this season, Wagner criticized Oliver Perez. On Thursday, Wagner criticized teammates who didn’t make themselves available to the media.
While Wagner didn’t name any names, he reportedly pointed in the direction where the lockers of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are located. Although those players all are Hispanic, Wagner denied his criticism being directed toward any one race.
Apparently, Wagner wants everyone to talk to the media like he does. …read more

On Wednesday, the New York Mets lost 13-1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The drama for the Mets didn’t end there. Closer Billy Wagner sounded off on starting pitcher Oliver Perez, who lasted less than two innings.

“Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before,” Wagner said to the Associated Press. “He can’t come out there and decide that, ‘Gee, he hasn’t got it today and so be it.’ ”
A reported then asked Wagner if talking to Perez was like talking to a wall. Wagner’s response? …read more

Ah, Opening Day. I hope you had as much fun as we did (full report at Ducksnorts). Beyond the thrill of a packed house at Petco Park watching Jake Peavy spin a shutout, here are a few items from Monday that caught my eye:

The Mets beat the Marlins, 7-2. The planet’s best pitcher against a Triple-A squad — who could’ve have anticipated such a result? Uh, everyone.
The Pittsburgh/Atlanta game was insane. The Pirates took a 9-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but the Braves tied. Then the Bucs jumped ahead in the 12th, 12-9, before allowing two runs …read more