Oliver Perez, Damion Easley and Matt Wise (remember him?) all filed for free agency on Thursday. The Mets have 15 days to negotiate with these players, and any other players who file from the 2008 team.
Do not expect Perez to sign any time soon. His agent is Scott Boras, which means they're going to play the field and wait for the highest possible bidder. The Mets will make a play for him, but it will be a very drawn out process.
Other pitchers that could fill the two voids: Jon Garland, Derek Lowe or Randy Wolf.
Easley is a tough one. He was great off the bench and filled in at second base when Luis Castillo went down with an injury. Anderson Hernandez also saw time at 2B, but his light hitting gave Easley an opening. He's getting up there in age, but he's a tough veteran, who has been with the team for a few years. He might be cursed though, as he still hasn't played in a postseason game.
I can see the team bringing him back, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's not a Met when Citi Field opens.
And then there's Wise. He only appeared in eight games last season after signing a $1.2 million contract. Don't expect him back. You might see him on a milk carton sometime soon, though.
