Seth Wenig / AP

Oliver Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts last year. Although he struck out 180, he also walked 105 in 194 innings.

updated 5:46 p.m. ET Feb. 2, 2009

Oliver Perez and the New York Mets reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $36 million, three-year contract.

The deal is subject to the pitcher passing a physical, two people familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement wasn’t final. The physical is scheduled for Tuesday.

New York had offered Derek Lowe — another client of agent Scott Boras — a $36 million, three-year contract, but Lowe accepted a $60 million, four-year offer from Atlanta. In addition to Lowe, the Mets also held talks with agents for Tim Redding and Randy Wolf, and agreed with Redding on a $2.25 million, one-year deal.

With the agreement, the Mets’ projected rotation includes Johan Santana, John Maine, Perez, Mike Pelfrey and either Redding, Freddy Garcia or Jon Niese. New York has not ruled out re-signing Pedro Martinez, who may pitch in the World Baseball Classic before deciding where to sign.

Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts last year. He struck out 180 and also walked 105 in 194 innings. His 4.87 walks per nine innings were fourth-highest in the majors behind only Barry Zito, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ian Snell.

Perez will receive $12 million in each of the three seasons, up from the $6.5 million he made last year after winning in salary arbitration.

More news

Getty Images

The man who no longer matters

Posnanski: Albert Pujols' at-bats used to be buzzworthy, must-watch events. Now, they're not. Here's the result of his struggles the past few years.

HBT: Camera catches Marlins' Sanabia with spitball

Headlines

• Label

CSN: Nats' Matheus breaks hand punching locker

CSN: O's drop sixth straight as Yanks win in 10

CSN: White Sox hand Lester first loss of season

Corbin improves to 7-0 as D-backs top Rockies

Pads' Marquis outduels young Cards ace Miller

Kershaw's second CG of year baffles Brewers

Shaky Cueto bests Mets in return from DL

Gutsy Teheran pitches into 9th, downs Twins