Barajas contract breakdown

Here’s how Rod Barajas’ contract plays out, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts…

• 1 year/$0.5M (2010)
• signed by NY Mets as a free agent 2/21/10
• $0.4M roster bonus for making Opening Day roster
• $1M in performance bonuses

Manuel’s Musing

“I think if you told Jose today, 'Jose I am going to bat you eighth until you get right,' he wouldn't bat an eye. He is so excited to be back on the baseball field, I don't think it would be an issue with him at all.”

-Jerry Manuel on where he might bat Jose Reyes

Taking a stab at the 25-man roster

Though most of the positions are set for Opening Day (even though spring training is just kicking off), a few remain up in the air to be battled for in Port St. Lucie.

As I have it penciled in now, the Mets will carry four outfielders, with Gary Matthews Jr. able to play all OF positions.  Fernando Tatis can also work at the corners if needed.

I also have the Mets carrying three catchers.  I’m assuming Henry Blanco is going to be Johan Santana’s personal catcher.  I’m also assuming at 34, Rod Barajas may need some time off.  That leaves Santos on the roster as well.  (Assuming the team is smart and wants Josh Thole to get the full starting time in Triple-A.)

I have Fernando Nieve making the team as the long-relief man in the bullpen and Jon Niese as the team’s fifth starter.

The bench would be made up of GMJ, Alex Cora, Fernando Tatis, Henry Blanco and Omir Santos.

The outfield

• Jason Bay
• Angel Pagan
• Gary Matthews Jr.
• Jeff Francoeur

The infield

• Daniel Murphy
• Luis Castillo
• Jose Reyes
• David Wright
• Alex Cora
• Fernando Tatis

The catchers

• Rod Barajas
• Henry Blanco
• Omir Santos

The starters

• Johan Santana
• Mike Pelfrey
• Oliver Perez
• John Maine
• Jon Niese

The bullpen

• Francisco Rodriguez
• Kelvim Escobar
• Pedro Feliciano
• Bobby Parnell
• Sean Green
• Ryota Igarashi
• Fernando Nieve

Where do you stand?  Who do you think will make the 25-man roster?

Mets sign Alex Cintron

The Mets have signed infielder Alex Cintron to a minor-league deal, as first reported by Baseball America.

Enjoy Buffalo.

Link: Coutinho toots own horn, explains Beltran

Head on over to Hot Foot to read an oddly self-serving quote from Rich Coutinho on Carlos Beltran and his path back to the playing field.

Um, thanks Rich.  You can hop down off that high horse now.

POLL: Where do the Mets finish the season?

Last week, I ran a poll asking how many wins the Mets would notch in 2010.  The results came back with the majority of fans picking them to win between 81-90 wins.

With such a wide span of wins, I figured it only made sense to post this poll.  Where do you see the Mets ending the 2010 season?  Vote below and hit the comments to discuss.

Heyman: Reyes to bat third until Beltran returns

Last spring training, we were all intrigued when Jerry Manuel discussed putting Jose Reyes in the third spot of his lineup.  We all scoffed when we heard the same thing this season.

But, according to Jon Heyman, this plan will be in action for more than just spring training.

Heyman tweets that Reyes will be batting third in the Mets lineup, at least until Carlos Beltran returns.

This, I think, is stupid.  We all know the saying “As Jose Reyes goes, so goes the Mets.”  That saying didn’t come from nowhere.  Reyes is the Mets sparkplug and dropping him to third seems silly.

There are other tweaks I’d like to see Manuel make with the lineup, but dropping Reyes out of the top spot is not one of them.

Here is what the opening day lineup will likely look like, if Manuel sticks to this plan…

1. Angel Pagan
2. Luis Castillo
3. Jose Reyes
4. Jason Bay
5. David Wright
6. Daniel Murphy
7. Jeff Francoeur
8. Rod Barajas
9. Johan Santana

It’s actually not too bad, but I still think Reyes is better suited for the leadoff spot.

What do you think?  Leave your comments below.

I don’t know what to make of this tweet

Is Jerry Manuel serious?  He’s probably seen Mejia throw only a handful of times and – boom – he’s in the running for the setup job?

I’m all for Jenrry Mejia doing well and progressing and helping the Mets, but I’m not so sure about this.  Please, don’t rush this guy.  There’s no need.

Sounds too crazy and too like Manuel – which means it could be 100 percent true.

Barajas needs a spot on the 40-man

Yesterday, the Mets signed Rod Barajas to a major-league deal.  That means Barajas must be added to the 40-man roster.

The Mets already have 40 players on the roster, so someone will have to be designated for assignment.

Also yesterday, the Mets were looking to void their waiver claim on Jay Marshall due to a preexisting shoulder issue.  If they are able to quickly get their claim pulled back on Marshall, the Mets might not have to DFA anyone else.

As Eric Simon of Amazin Avenue suggested on Twitter, Arturo Lopez is another candidate to be DFA’d, as he really has no chance to make the team and isn’t very good anyway.  (In 35 minor league games last season: 30 1-3 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.615 WHIP, 13 BB, 19 K.)

Either or, I’m assuming Marshall or Lopez will be DFA’d (likely today) to make room for the Mets newest catcher.

Mets sign Barajas to one-year deal

The New York Mets and catcher Rod Barajas have agreed to a one-year major-league deal, worth $1 million.

Barajas will be added to the 40-man roster, meaning someone is being DFA'd to make room.

Barajas likely joins the team as the favorite to start, with Henry Blanco serving as his backup.

I'm on the road, so more tomorrow. Enjoy figuring out why the Mets have five catchers on the 40-man roster.