Oliver Perez

I know that many have mention all the obvious options that are still available out there, and the Lowes, Sheets, Garlands, Wolfs, and so on have their strengths and weaknesses.  However, I know that Perez has been mentioned on this site before, but I never have really gotten a feel for what the posters on this site would t hink of a perez signing.  

Obviously, the guy has his strengths and weaknesses as well.  He is a great example of a guy who either can be dominant or completely off from start to start.  It seems as if sometimes he has great control, the next start he can use his wildness to be effective, and then the next start can be all over the place.  

Despite these obvious concerns, Perez is just 27.  And, while i do think that his delivery is a bit of a concern going into the future, he has maintained a pretty good health record so far.  Furthermore, the guy can be dominant when he wants, as we all know from facing him throughout his career with the mets, and to throw in the fact that I think he would have a better defense behind him than he had in New york, I think he could put in some pretty effective years.

From a team perspective I would support the signing on two fronts. The first being that given his age, Perez would remain a viable middle of the rotation NL starter at the least throughout our resurgence towards being a contender again, and could develop into a top of the rotation option.  Also, by signing him, it represents a shift in the Braves philosophy, as we would be dealing with a Boras client in terms of a FA signing for the first time in a long time.  I personally think that Boras is nothing but a negative influence on the game, but if he is going to continue expanding his client list, then it makes sense that if the braves have the money to spend, they should at least start somewhere with Boras to keep all options on the table in the future.

Right now, Perez is claiming he wants a 5-year-65 million dollar deal.  There is no way in hell that I would offer that too him.  I think that Perez is going to be one of the FA who is effected most by the economy and the fact that Major league teams are valuing consistent production over potential more than ever when it comes to free agents, simply because each team has potential at a cheap price in its young players.  With this being said, If I were Wren, I would make an offer around the 4-year, 45 million dollar mark.  Perez has shown the production to earn at least 10 mill a year on the market.

My personal feeling is that I would not lose any sleep either way we go, but I would lean towards at least making a valiant effort toward signing him.  I think he has the most future potential of any available starter outside of sheets, and perez comes without the constant injury concerns.

What are yalls thoughts? That is what I am most intersted in concerning this subject.