If the Mets were hoping to lock up Oliver Perez quickly after losing out on Derek Lowe to the Braves, that appears unlikely. The Mets were originally looking to retain Perez for $30 million over three years but currently have no offer on the table and believe Perez is still seeking about double that, in other words about $60 million (for five years).

The Mets appear to be in no rush to throw out an offer now for Perez, as that strategy didn't necessarily serve them well in the case of Lowe.

Perez remains by far the Mets' first choice for their final rotation spot, but club executives don't appear quite as confident in their chances as before and are surveying other viable starters. That includes Ben Sheets now, as well as Randy Wolf and Jon Garland. Mets people love Sheets' talent but appear to be taking a second look at his medical history, which initially gave them pause.

Some Mets people are now wondering whether one or two years for Sheets might be a better gamble than four or five for Perez, whose resolve to get his asking price probably only strengthened when Lowe -- who's seven years older at 35 -- got $60 million over four years from the Braves after the Mets bid just $36 million for three years.

Mets people may also be worrying whether the Yankees could come back into play for Perez.