The Mets released pitcher Oliver Perez earlier today, and the Daily News rejoices by saying the "Ollies Follies are over." Mets GM Sandy Alderson that Perez's last outing on Saturday (where he gave up two home runs in relief) showed "additional evidence that the velocity was not there, the command was not there. It wasn't going to work in a starting role and it didn't appear it was going to work in a relief role, at least anytime soon." And Perez seemed to be fine with the decision.
He told reporters, "I think they gave me an opportunity. They were fair with me when I came here. 'We're going to give you an opportunity to be a starter.' I didn't do anything great. They moved me to the bullpen trying to be a lefty specialist. And the last game, that was a real horrible job." Of course, what's also fair is that the Mets will have to pay out the rest of Perez's $36 million contract, which amounts to $12 million.
Matthew Cerrone at the Mets Blog writes, "Thankfully, this all came true. The team was right to bring him in and they were right to let him try out. But, once it was clear he was toast, and it was over, just like with Luis Castillo, they made the right move in the right way."
