Case in Favor of Oliver Perez

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARTON SILVERMAN/NEW YORK TIMES


Pitcher Oliver Perez has won his arbitration case against the Mets according to reports on Friday. He will recieve 6.5 million this year. He is the second player to win the case this year next to Ryan Howard. This is also the first arbitration case since 1992, when they went to court against David Cone.

But....lets go to the question on everybody's mind....... Does he deserve it? Well, first things first, he did win 15 games for the team in the 2007 season, a career high for the lefty (btw, his ERA of 3.56 isn't too shabby either!) He struck out more than 170 batters, something he has not accomplished since his days as a pirate.

In this market where a mediocre pitcher like San Francisco Giant Barry Zito can get 100 million dollars and the ace of this ball club Johan Santana can get 150 million for his services, Perez's check suits him as he is not a dominant top notch starter, nor a bottom tier pitcher. He is however, still young and could have a bigger payday if he lives up to the potential other teams saw in him.

If you don't believe that he deserves the money, see for your self
Perez Fans Seven
Perez Fans 10

(courtesy of Mets.com)