Mets Read Riot Act to Oliver Perez

Three years, $36 million dollars. Regret much, Mets?

Oliver Perez, the man who signed the above juicy contract this past offseason, has been simply brutal this season. In four starts, he's allowed 23 hits, 20 earned runs and 15 walks in only 19 1/3 innings. Considering he's throwing less than five innings per start, he's putting the Mets in huge holes early in the game in addition to over-taxing the bullpen.

Apparently the Mets aren't going to let his colossal contract stand in the way of the betterment of the team. According to the New York Post, Perez had a "lengthy meeting" with manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya following his latest stinkbomb.

"I don't think we have seen the old Ollie, and I'm really, really concerned about him right now," Manuel said.

Depending upon your point of view, actually, you could say the Mets are seeing the "old Ollie." Remember, Perez was 3-13 with a 6.55 ERA in 2006. Even in good seasons, he's always been fickle. You are just as likely to get seven walks as you are seven strong innings.

Reportedly, he could get one more start to straighten himself out before facing either the bullpen or a demotion to the minor leagues. Both would be a slap in the face to Perez, who has only one relief appearance in his entire career (his rookie season, which was seven years ago) and has spent the last two full seasons in the Mets rotation untouched. Tim Redding or Nelson Figueroa would be Perez's likely replacements in the rotation.

Should the Mets decide to give him one more chance, it's an intriguing matchup. His turn would come against the Phillies, who have a lefty-dominated lineup and he's had great success against them in his career. By the same token, they have a pretty potent offense, and if he struggles they're liable to shatter his confidence by putting up a really crooked number.

Time will tell, but year one of the three-year deal isn't going well, and that's an understatement.