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

The deal is subject to the pitcher passing a physical, a person familiar with the talks says, speaking on condition of anonymity because Monday's agreement wasn't final.

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

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

Progress in Perez's talks earlier was reported by several media outlets.