The left-hander pitched with the Mets from 2006 through 2010.
The Mets could use another left-handed reliever in their bullpen, but help will not be coming in the form of a familiar face. Oliver Perez, who pitched with the Mets for five seasons, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman says the deal is worth "$4 million plus."
Perez has revitalized his career, thriving as a reliever the last two seasons with the Mariners, posting a 3.16 ERA/3.14 FIP/3.72 xFIP in 82.2 innings, striking out 98 batters (27.8%) and walking 29 (10.2%). He was effective against both left-handed batters (.303 wOBA) and right-handed batters (.307 wOBA) in that time.
The 32-year-old was never a realistic possibility for the Mets, though, partially because of money but more so because of how his last tenure with the Mets ended. He was acquired from the Pirates at the trading deadline in 2006 along with Roberto Hernandez for Xavier Nady. Perez was solid enough for the Mets in his first two full seasons with the team, posting a 3.56 ERA and 2.3 fWAR in 177 innings in 2007 and a 4.22 ERA and 1.3 fWAR in 194 innings in 2008.
Of course, Perez signed a three year, $36 million extension after the 2008 season and promptly imploded. He made just 21 starts in 2009 and 2010, posting an unfathomable 6.82 ERA and -2.0 fWAR, while walking more batters (17.9%) than he struck out (17.7%). At one point in 2010, the Mets tried sending Perez down to the minors, which he refused. Perez' final appearance as a Met came on October 3, 2010, a 2-1 14-inning loss to the Nationals, in which he allowed a run on three walks and a hit-by-pitch. Perez was released by the Mets on March 23, 2011 and did not pitch in the majors that season.
