By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

I get it, I really do.

After his fourth despicable performance in five starts, Saturday against the Phillies, Perez said he would be open to a move to the minors. Then the next day, poof, he changed his mind.

“I was frustrated. Every pitcher can say that, because that was a tough day for me and I can say anything. Today, I feel a little more relaxed,” Perez said Sunday after sleeping on the decision.

A decision that was made with his future earning potential in mind, not the best interest of the Mets, who announced yesterday that Perez would be moved to the bullpen.

“Right now, we felt [a move to the bullpen] was the right decision and the right course,” GM Omar Minaya said.

But what choice did Minaya have — throw Perez, in whom the Mets are invested in for the next three seasons, under the bus.

How is a move to the bullpen, where the team will have to find spots to utilize the inconsistent lefty good for anybody, including Perez. In the minors he could continue his normal work as a starter and get more personal attention. And perhaps most importantly, take a step back from the pressure, criticism and questions of New York.

There are some fundamental problems with the way Perez is pitching that go beyond walking home a run with the pitcher at the plate, which happened in Saturday’s loss to the rival Phillies.

By Perez’s own admission, his velocity is down and his control is worse than ever.

“I don’t feel good,” Perez said after getting pounded by the lowly Nationals on April 26.

“I haven’t been doing my job, and I feel bad for that. I’ve been trying so hard, so I have to continue to do it. It’s four games, but I haven’t been pitching well. I have to start pitching better.”

But apparently that’s not his top concern. No, it appears the top priority is finding another team to fleece out of $36 million in a few years.

Buyer beware: That money won’t buy you loyalty.

Questions, comments, complaints — email me at justin.terranova@nypost.com.