AP sources: Perez and Mets agree at $36 million

[February 03, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Oliver Perez and the New York Mets reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $36 million, three-year contract. The deal is subject to the pitcher passing a physical, two people familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement wasn't final. The physical is scheduled for Tuesday.

New York had offered Derek Lowe -- another client of agent Scott Boras -- a $36 million, three-year contract, but Lowe accepted a $60 million, four-year offer from Atlanta. In addition to Lowe, the Mets also held talks with agents for Tim Redding and Randy Wolf, and agreed with Redding on a $2.25 million, one-year deal.

With the agreement, the Mets' projected rotation includes Johan Santana, John Maine, Perez, Mike Pelfrey and either Redding, Freddy Garcia or Jon Niese. New York has not ruled out re-signing Pedro Martinez, who may pitch in the World Baseball Classic before deciding where to sign.

Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts last year. He struck out 180 and also walked 105 in 194 innings. His 4.87 walks per nine innings were fourth-highest in the majors behind only Barry Zito, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ian Snell.

Perez will receive $12 million in each of the three seasons, up from the $6.5 million he made last year after winning in salary arbitration.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

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