Mets likely to get either Lowe or Perez
The Mets remain confident that they'll eventually land one of their top two choices to upgrade the starting rotation - either Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez. A survey of the baseball landscape indicates that the Mets' confidence is well-founded.
Take the Milwaukee Brewers, for instance. They already have lost CC Sabathia to the Yankees and their other elite starting pitcher, Ben Sheets, turned down their offer of arbitration and remains a free agent. They're looking to contend; witness their signing of free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman for $6 million.
But in a story published Saturday, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "I haven't even talked to Scott Boras," the agent for both Lowe and Perez.
In this terrible economy, teams such as the Brewers are reluctant to pay the necessary price for a pitcher like Lowe or Perez and also give up the compensatory draft pick.
The Phillies seem to have a full starting rotation in Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, youngster Kyle Kendrick and veteran free-agent signee Chan Ho Park. A Phillies official, asked about Lowe this past week, replied, "I don't see us there."
The Braves have emerged as a serious contender for Lowe's services. When they lost John Smoltz to the Red Sox, they created not only a pitching issue but a public relations problem. But it's not clear yet whether Atlanta is willing to give Lowe, 35, the fourth guaranteed year that the Mets have refused to dangle.
Even if the Braves do beat the Mets for Lowe, the Mets are very comfortable bringing back Perez. And if there's any competition for Perez, it's in hiding.
Randy Wolf (12-12, 3.98 ERA last season) would be the Mets' third choice, but he would represent a significant drop-off from Lowe or Perez.
-- Ken Davidoff
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Comments (3)
I thought it was said (somewhere) that the Yankees would go after Perez if they don't re-sign Petite.
Personally, I don't see why they wouldn't. At this stage of his career, Petite isn't better than Perez.
Perez is not "upgrading" the rotation, Ken. It is maintaining a mediocre status quo which now depends upon Mike Pelfrey stepping up as a number 2, and John Maine reverting to 2007 form. Upgrading the pitching staff is re-signing Perez AND signing Lowe, or Sabathia, or Dempster, or any other pitcher whose ship has sailed. Omar fails again. But that's OK. Fred doesn't want to win anyway.
I guess Fred doesn't want to win. He gave Santana one of the richest contracts to a pitcher, signed Beltran, traded for Delgado, signed K Rod, traded for Putz. Yeah I guess that is a fair indicatio he doesn't want to win. Why do people want to give a guy who is soon to be 36 years old a mega contract and make it till he is 40? Another Pedro good for a year and a half then watch out. I hope we resign Perez. Inconsistent yes but he comes up big in big situations. He is young and he is a lefty. Hmmm give a 27 y/o 4 yr contract or give a 36/o 4 yr contract. Remember Perez is becoming more consistent and has much more upside than Lowe. I would love to have both of them but would be happy with either one. I say bid the price up on the Braves then switch and sign Perez. The Braves can then be happy paying a higher price for another o;d pitcher.