We Believe in a Just World (Sort Of)

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 21 July 2010

Belief in a just world is a psychological concept that explains world view:  basically, good things should happen to good people, bad things should happen to bad people.  People continue to believe in a just world even when the only evidence available is to the contrary.  Case in point today:  Oliver Perez.  How is it possible that this man, who is quite easily the bane of Mets fans' collective existence at the moment, continues to come back and haunt us?

We all knew this day was coming. I just wish it hadn't come so soon.  Following the Mets' 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks last night, Oliver Perez was activated from the DL.  Infielder Justin Turner was sent back down to Triple-A to make room for Perez on the roster.  This is minor consolation for me because until yesterday I was convinced that Josh Thole (currently the Mets' best offensive catcher) would be the one banished to Buffalo.

Here's the problem, though.  Oliver Perez is not ready to be a part of a major league roster.  For one thing he is ineffective, but even more alarming is the fact that he does not seem to realize this.  And the Mets refuse to cut ties with him because 1. he's owed nearly $17 million and 2. they have this absurd belief that he will sign somewhere else for league minimum and discover himself.  Both Dan Warthen and Jerry Manuel have admitted that, while Perez was activated to join the 25-man roster, there was really no difference between Ollie now and the Ollie who went on the DL.  So what is he doing on the team?

I don't understand why the Mets WANT to take themselves out of contention.  How can they expect to be taken seriously (by fans and by baseball in general) when they insist on playing short-handed?  Perez is taking up a roster spot from this day on, just like he was before he was mercifully placed on the DL.  He has been relegated to a mop-up man hiding behind the title "lefty specialist" and he seems to be ok with this.  With the bullpen and some starters currently struggling, I wish the Mets would make a move that is actually in the interest of the team.  Perez can not be a starter, which means Hisanori Takahashi has no choice but to remain a starter, hurting both the rotation and the bullpen in the process.  He can't be a bullpen guy either, as evidenced by the way Jerry used him prior to his DL stint.  So essentially, this move accomplishes.... absolutely nothing.  Where's that just world now, Mets fans?