It’s starting to look like the Mets are going to go after Derek Lowe to fill their starting pitching needs.

Of course, he’s the best pitcher on the market, but is he worth it? Think about it. Lowe will be 36 in June and if the Mets have to give him a four-year, $60 million contract, the team will be paying him $15 million to pitch when he’s 40. To me, that’s not a good investment.

Sure Lowe will give you over 200 innings a year and will throw to a low-3 ERA, but for how long. Just looking at the recent history of four-year contracts the Mets gave out to pitchers in their mid to late 30s, you can see how the team has gotten burned.

Tom Glavine never regained the Hall of Fame form he had in Atlanta and while he had some good seasons, they were dominate. Pedro Martinez’s arm went out during his second season of a four year contract and Billy Wagner will get paid around $10 million in 2009 to rehab his arm.

This is not to say Lowe will be like those players, but he’s hardly a Hall of Famer, and if history shows us one thing, it’s that older pitchers break down much, much easier.

Personally, I would like to see the Mets re-sign Ollie Perez, who is 27 and has shown no signs of breaking down. A four year contract will put him at 32 when a four year deal ends, since his birthday is in August.

The Mets are better off paying a guy for what he will do, not what he did for other teams.

Posted under Commentary, Free Agency, Hot Stove

Adam Rubin posted this tidbit about which free agents are type A and those that are classified as type B. The classification determines what, if any compensation, comes from losing the player.

FYI Ollie Perez is the Mets only A, according to the list.

Posted under Free Agency, Hot Stove

Not too much to report from the weekend, but this story in the Denver Post, mentioned Brian Fuentes will be visiting the Mets soon as part of the free agent process.

Also the Mets have until today to offer arbitration to the free agents they plan on retaining. Of the 11 that filed, Oliver Perez is the most likely to get an offer. Of the others only Pedro Martinez and Damion Easley played significant roles with the Mets last season.

Personally, outside of Perez, I would expect Easley to be offered something, but not Pedro, because the Mets would be in a pickle if he accepts.

Posted under Hot Stove, Link, New York Mets

Let’s just say for the sake of the argument the Mets sign Derek Lowe. We know they aren’t going to break the bank in Yankee proportions, and it comes down to bringing back Oliver Perez at the reported number of $75 million or Brian Fuentes at $44 million and a handful of relievers.

What’s your choice?

I would take Fuentes and the relievers because it would solve the team’s greatest problem, and for the final starter I’d give Jon Niese a chance, or at worst, bring back Pedro Martinez as the fifth starter.

You know what you’re going to get from Perez, and the Mets could probably get the same from Niese and Martinez and whatever emergency starter they throw out there. That includes the angst of uncertainty.

Posted under New York Mets

Let me get this straight. Oliver Perez, an underachieving pitcher throughout his career, is a free agent after this season and is seeking a payday reportedly of $15 million a year times five. That’s $75 million. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out wanting more.

At his age, agent Scott Boras is likely to set the bar higher.

If I’m the Mets after last night, I tell him to take a hike.

Seriously, I don’t want Perez anymore. He’s been the “Bad Ollie,” the last month when the Mets needed him most. My feeling right now is it doesn’t matter who is the pitching coach, that Perez will always be like this.

Last night was one of eight games in which he walked five or more batters. That’s roughly 25 percent of his starts. If the Mets don’t make the playoffs, last night was Perez’s last start of the season for the Mets, and probably his last with the franchise.

It was fitting how he pitched, because last night is how he’ll be remembered.

Posted under New York Mets

What the Mets got last night from Johan Santana they’ll need tonight from Oliver Perez.

Perez hasn’t faced the Cubs since April 2005, and is 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA in his last five starts against Chicago.

Perez’s career has been one of hot-and-cold, and currently he’s been cool after a strong stretch. Perez (10-7, 4.10 ERA) has one win in his last seven starts. Over his last three starts, Perez has given up 12 earned runs on 18 hits and eight walks spanning 16 1/3 innings.

That said, do you want Perez back next year? I don’t know if he’ll be worth the money he’ll get, but is he worth the angst?

Posted under New York Mets

A show of hands please … how many thought of last season when Oliver Perez morphed back into the “Bad Ollie,” last night?

Yup. Me too. Only they didn’t lose. Carlos Delgado wouldn’t let them. That Perez pitched lousy isn’t a good sign … that they didn’t unravel was a definite positive.

I also liked that David Wright and Jose Reyes showed signs of offensive life.

I’ll talk with you throughout the day.

Posted under New York Mets

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Oliver Perez has pitched so well lately that he’ll let this one slide. He can afford to because Carlos Delgado is playing up to the MVP chants.

It wasn’t a good night for Perez, but Delgado hit two more homers and has 24 in his last 66 games to lead the majors.

For awhile tonight it appeared as if Perez would kick this one away, but Delgado’s two homers and one by Carlos Beltran carried the Mets to a 10-8 victory over the Nationals to increase their lead over Philly to 2 1/2 games.

Kudos also to the bullpen. It has been hot in September, but tell the truth, aren’t you holding your breath?

For those who were with me tonight, many thanks. The Room is open all night.-JD

Posted under New York Mets