Oliver Perez - New York Mets (Image: Zuma Press)

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. In 14 starts, Perez had an ERA of 6.82 and a WHIP of 1.92.

The Mets have to hope that Perez’s knee, which has been bothering him for most of the season, led to his poor pitching. If not, they’ll have to spend $24 million in the next two years on a sub par pitcher.

With a record of 57-70 at the moment, the Mets are already looking forward to a better — and healthier — season next year.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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 walks were equally as unimpressive.

The Mets are hoping that the 27-year-old left hander will be able to master his control and become a top of the line starter. Considering Perez is young and has shown potential, it’s not a bad gamble.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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 go along with 23 saves. The 37-year-old reliever is still going strong.

If Wagner misses any games, expect Duaner Sanchez to close games for the Mets.

What will Billy Wagner say next?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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 5.29 ERA, Perez isn’t exactly helping the volatile situation in New York.

The Mets have had to deal with Willie Randolph getting fired and numerous other incidents, such as Billy Wagner calling out Oliver Perez earlier in the season. During that drama, Wagner called Oliver Perez a “wall”.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

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. After Wagner’s comments about Perez, Mets manager Willie Randolph told Wagner to stop criticizing teammates through the media. Obviously, Wagner didn’t listen.

Perhaps now Wagner will criticize himself through the media. It’d only be fair.

Billy Wagner Talking to the Media, Per Usual.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

A reported then asked Wagner if talking to Perez was like talking to a wall. Wagner’s response? “Pretty much.”

On the season, Perez is 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA. Wagner hasn’t yet allowed an earned run on the season. He has 12 strikeouts in 12 innings, to go along with six saves.

Mets’ manager Willie Randolph reportedly told Wagner he should have handled the situation in-house.

“I wouldn’t go that route, but that’s Billy,” Randolph said. “Billy gets a little emotional at times. If he feels that way, it’s fine. Billy doesn’t speak for the team. That’s just him. That’s just his opinion.”

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

• 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 in the bottom half and hanging on for a 12-11 victory. Xavier Nady, whom I’ve been following since he took home Cal League MVP honors in 2001 while playing for a great Lake Elsinore Storm club (Peavy and Mets left-hander Oliver Perez also played on that team, which went 91-49), knocked two homers, including the game winner.
• The Giants really stink. Good thing they’re paying Barry Zito all that money.
• The Brewers and Cubs ran a clinic on how not to close a game. Locked in a scoreless tie headed to the ninth, Milwaukee plated three runs in the top half off “closer” Kerry Wood, then watched “closer” Eric Gagne cough up three of his own in the bottom half. The Brewers scored in the top of the 10th and hung on to win, 4-3. Who got credit for the victory? The least deserving guy in the ballpark, of course: Gagne. The next time someone tries to tell you that a pitcher is good because of his won-loss record, remind them that the rules dictating how a win is “earned” don’t necessarily correlate with actually contributing to victory.
• Break up the Nationals. With Monday’s 11-6 drubbing of Philadelphia, they’re assured of finishing no worse than 2-160 this year.
• Livan Hernandez pitched well in his Twins debut. Actually, for all the grief Minnesota took in signing him, he matched Johan Santana’s line — two runs in seven innings — and got the win. Not that he’ll keep pace with Santana beyond, oh, right about now, but still…
• The White Sox seem to be a sexy dark horse candidate this season, but I just don’t see it. By my count, they’ve got about three or four good pitchers, depending on whether you believe Octavio Dotel can stay of the disabled list. One of them (Mark Buehrle) got absolutely pounded at Cleveland. Granted, the Indians will do that to a pitcher, but if the White Sox can’t win behind Buehrle, then what are they going to do when, say, Gavin Floyd toes the slab?

Good times, my friends. Good times…

Post from: Knuckle Curve