Ollie Perez and The Meaning Of No

Coming soon to a theater near you, the biggest summer blockbuster of them all: Oliver Perez vs. The Mets. Watch as the two sides slug it out over who is the supreme commander of their destiny. Yep, that's how I see it billed. The Mets are most certainly going to roll over for this clown on two legs. I can't understand why the Mets keep him around...he's dead weight. The guy can't pitch. He's had two "good" seasons (if you enjoy just over .500 win decisions and a career ERA of 4.60) with the Mets and the rest of his career in Pittsburgh and San Diego were abysmal numbers. Even then, what did the Mets see in this guy?

This week after so much speculation, "Queen Perez" refused a minor league assignment because it's a slap to his ego...nothing more, nothing less. Ollie, you got command issues, the minors is where you can get back on track. You think Dwight Gooden enjoyed going back to the minors before re-proving his worth to the Yankees and Indians during the 1996-1999 stretch? No, he was scared he'd never make it back, but he took the assignment for his shot and look what it got him-- A World Series ring among a few post-season appearances. Now, by no means am I saying Ollie can become a fire-baller like Gooden was, but he can become a serviceable middle rotation guy if he'd be more accommodating. The Mets NEED to release this guy or force to change his mind. He's hurting the organization and the fans. The Mets could go after a guy like Dontrelle Willis (who will not be a Met) that may be able to help the team out. Joel Sherman of The New York Post says "Fans shouldn't blame him for not accepting, but blame the team for a bad contract." Ok, fine I do blame them for a bad contract, but a player has a duty to the team and Perez isn't doing such.

So if my overall point of this entry was anything, it's that the Mets have a big decision to make and it can't wait much longer.

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Mets questions at pitching

Recently, starter Oliver Perez was demoted to the bullpen after an 0-3; 5.94 ERA start. Seems fitting right? This all comes a brief time ago after signing a three year/$36M contract. The Mets didn't send him to the minors due to him not accepting that kind of demotion and more than likely having to shred the contract and eat the money. Writers say Perez doesn't pitch as well in the cold, which is plausible if you think of Pedro Martinez, but hardly an excuse for lack of velocity. Oliver Perez and Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen can surely commiserate such a problem as Delcarmen has struggled to get his velocity back after an injury. Interestingly, the two are the same age (28) and neither should be hitting a "dead-arm" age yet. Both have been extensively injured throughout their careers.

The real problem for the Mets is the fact who is the person to replace Perez. Jon Niese has been diagnosed with a mild strain of his right hamstring after exiting Sunday's game. Two pitchers are needed now. Johan Santana has yet to win, John Maine is having command issues, while Mike Pelfrey continues to showcase himself as the number one guy for now. Hisanori Takahasi (3-1; 3.12ERA) will take Niese's start on Friday, but rumor has it that Perez's replacement will be R.A. Dickey, whose been added to the roster while they await word on the extent of Niese's hamstring. Dickey hasn't played in the bigs since last season, but sports a 4-2; 2.23ERA at Triple A Buffalo.

The question is are Hisanori Takahashi and R.A. Dickey be the replacements to keep the Mets afloat? At least, Chris Carter is exciting to watch while Jeff Francouer took his mental health day.