There is no doubt Oliver Perez can slump, and lose command of a baseball game, but should he already be deemed the “Mets $36MM disaster?” A few may be starting think “Yes”, including manager Jerry Manual.
The New York Post published and article today that slashes Perez at the knees, similar to when a weed-whacker hits a bumble bee.
Statements like “he has no pitching IQ”, “he generally has no clue where the ball is going once it leaves his hand”, and even calling Perez a “the Mets 36 million dollar disaster”.
Jerry Manual has said he is “really, really concerned”, and in a “round-about” way mentioned that if Perez can not find his “stuff” he will be useless to the club.
Making a somewhat valid point right?
At the moment, Perez does have an atrocious ERA of 9.31, he has walked 15 batters, and has allowed a skyrocketing amount of hits (23). Yes these numbers could make a pitcher feel like an exploding bumble bee, but we need to remember these numbers are only after 19 total innings and the beginning of a very hectic season in New York.
If you compare him to someone like Johan Santana who currently sits at 0.70 in the ERA column, for a recent $36MM addition you should be concerned, but to be “really, really concerned” might be jumping the gate.
The whole entire season remains in front of Perez to make improvements. If the Mets have any confidence in their pitching staff, the organzation should feel somewhat at ease with the situation.
Bad luck in previous seasons, may have the inventors of the rally cap on the edge, but I think it is far too soon to call Perez “the Mets $36MM disaster”.
