12/6/09

Brunch Links: Santos, Benji, Marquis, Cameron... and Rod Barajas


Omir Santos:


Really? Who's next, Charles Johnson? Look, Blanco's defensive skills may still be intact (he threw out 40 percent of base-stealers last year), and he may have also been a mentor to Geovany Soto during his breakout 2008 season. But there is just no rational explanation for doubling Blanco's salary after a season where he appeared in just 67 games and batted .232/.320/.382. If the Mets are going to give $1.5 million to the likes of Henry Blanco, then I don't want to hear another word about the Wilpons having financial concerns. (Actually, this move signals everything I hate about the Mets right now - this organiation would rather give $1.5 million to a 37-year-old backup catcher then to pay over-slot for a first-round draft pick. It is the very definition of penny-wise and pound-foolish.) This would seemingly signal the end of Omir Santos's career in New York - a move that I am hardly lamenting. Mets fans have a bad habit of thinking that a good three-week stretch from a player is an indicator of All-Star potential. Too many people drank the Kool-Aid with Santos, a career minor leaguer who would be lucky to bat over .200 if he gets 100 major league at-bats next season - Productive Outs


Rod Barajas

The Mets are interested in Rod Barajas, reports Brian Costa of the New Jersey Star-Ledger. Barajas would represent a low-cost alternative to Bengie Molina, although it would come as a surprise if the Mets' priority wasn't Molina. The former Toronto backstop hit .226/.258/.403 with 19 home runs in 429 at-bats in 2009. - Rotoworld



Benji Molina:

I've been a big advocate of the Mets obtaining Bengie Molina, I'm even willing to go two years at 6MM with incentives for his desired 8MM but there's no way I'm giving Molina three years. If there's a team out there willing to give him 24MM over three years, then I'll wish him and that club good luck. There are still several decent catchers available, if Molina is serious about his price then Omar needs to move on in a hurry before the catchers market dwindles any further and he stuck meeting Molina's demands. Jon Heyman speculates this morning on twitter that the reason a deal might not be done already is because of Bengie wants three years.... Mets Fever 


Jason Marquis:

Marquis counted the Mets as among teams on his wish list, and they have reciprocated his interest, eager to find a sturdy starter from a group that also includes Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf. Over the last six seasons, Marquis has won at least 11 games every year and has topped the 190-inning mark five times, despite showing signs of wear after the All-Star break. A dangerous hitter, Marquis won a Silver Slugger award in 2005 and has hit five career homers, including a grand slam at Shea Stadium during the final week of the 2008 season that helped knock the Mets out of playoff contention. And then there is that playoff streak. “I’d like to think I’m a reason for that,” said Marquis, who is 94-83 with a 4.48 career earned run average. “Am I the only reason? Not at all, but I’d like to feel like I’ve brought something to the table to help get those teams to where they went. I don’t want to say it’s a coincidence, but there’s something to be said for consistency.” - N Y Times 

Did somebody say the Mets? They won't spend the money for Holliday, Bay or Lackey and apparently, they're only interested in signing low-budget Latin players, having shown little or no interest in Byrd, Figgins, DeRosa, Wolf or even Staten Island's Jason Marquis, while waiting for their markets to come to them. At the same time, the Phillies and Braves wasted no time in addressing their needs. Sad. -
Read more: Daily News


Mike Cameron:

Center fielder Mike Cameron could take center stage for the Cubs by the time the winter meetings begin Monday in Indianapolis, depending on how quickly they can slam the door on Milton Bradley's tail and how much room is left in the payroll. What's clear is the Cubs' interest and the strength of manager Lou Piniella's relationship with Cameron, who spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee. - SunTimes

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