Oliver Perez Signs ML Deal With Nationals
The Washington Nationals have signed former New York Mets left-hander Oliver Perez to a minor-league contract. Perez will report to Nationals minor-league camp, where he’ll work with pitching coordinator Spin Williams. Williams was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching coach in 2004 when Perez went 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 239 strikeouts.
The team hasn’t mapped out a full plan yet, but if all goes well Perez could open the season at Class AAA Syracuse, with the possibility of a promotion to Washington only if he performs well and the Nationals are in need of another starter.
Turner Opioned, Coleman Says Murphy Could Be Next
Some interesting story lines are developing at Mets camp today, so lets get started.
Earlier today on WFAN, Joe and Evans discussed the Mets decision to option Justin Turner to the minors, and they also reported that he was agitated at the decision and made a snide remark about Brad Emaus before leaving the complex.
Luis Hernandez who is also reaching the end of the line in the second base battle, may be on the outs according to Adam Rubin who says that Hernandez is out of options, but is drawing interest from other teams in trade talks. The Padres would likely have interest, according to Rubin based on a source from San Diego.
Eddie Coleman of WFAN said a short time ago, that Daniel Murphy is looking like the odd man out and may not even secure a role on the bench because he hears the Mets are deciding to go with 13 pitchers.
Coleman said the Mets do not want to lose Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato or Jason Isringhausen, and may keep all three and play with a four man bench. Those players would be Ronny Paulino/Mike Nickeas, Chin-leng Hu, Scott Hairston and Willie Harris.
That would be pretty radical and mean no rest for the weary in April, as well as forcing a conservative approach to pinch hitting on Terry Collins who will be operating with a smaller bench than the opposition.
Of course nothing is written in stone right now, so we’ll see how this one plays out.
