Major League Baseball

Mets cut expensive lefty Perez

Published Mar. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Oliver Perez received confirmation Monday morning from Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins that he would be released.

The lefty appeared in the team's clubhouse at 8:15 a.m. local time and began shaking hands with players, ending a tumultuous run with the organization that gave him one of the worst contracts in baseball history.

"They told me they were going to let me go, and I think that is best for the team and best for me," said Perez, who will collect $12 million this season.

The final straw came Saturday, when Perez allowed two homers in a relief appearance against the Nationals. Though the Mets had hoped Perez could reinvent himself as a lefty specialist, it was clear after Saturday's implosion — which included Mets fans cheering in delight — that Perez's release was imminent.

It came only three days after the team swallowed the $6 million remaining on Luis Castillo's contract. Castillo went on to agree a minor league deal with the Phillies.

Perez said he received a fair shot with the Mets this spring.

"They gave me an opportunity — they were fair with me," Perez said. "When I came here they were going to give me the opportunity to be a starter, and 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."

Perez received a three-year deal for $36 million before the 2009 season. For that money, the Mets received all of three wins from Perez, and countless headaches. Along the way, the name "Oliver Perez" became synonymous with failure in the same manner "Madoff" is equated to fraud.

"The people everywhere are free to say all that stuff," Perez said. "I know I did everything I can to get better, and the result doesn't work right. [The fans] pay to see us play. I think I can do better than that, and that's why I'm not going to quit. I want to get better, for my family and me."