Category: Roster

Mets Sign Jon Rauch

Jon Rauch (right) and José Molina
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The Mets signed 6’10” reliever Jon Rauch to a 1 year/$3.5 million deal to, presumably, work the back end of the bullpen. Mets fans are familiar with Rauch from his year in Washington. He’s kicked around the league a bit since then and pitched for the Blue Jays last year with 11 saves and an ugly 4.85 ERA.

Rauch has always pitched in a lot of games. Last season he pitched in 53 games which was his lowest total since 2005. His career ERA is 3.82 and he’s certainly an imposing presence on the mound, not only because of his height but he’s covered in tattoos from head to toe.

Rauch will provide an experienced arm in the back of the bullpen to work in front of Frank Francisco and team with Bobby Parnell to work the seventh and eighth innings.

Mets Agree to Contract with Frank Francisco

Frank Francisco
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

The Mets got their closer for 2012 and 2012 in free agent Frank Francisco. He agreed to a 2 year/$12 million deal to work the ninth inning for the Mets. He’s one of the last free agent closers to agree to a contract after Jonathan Papelbon got the market going by signing with Phillies early in the game. Since then the closers have been going quickly which left the Mets with the bargain basement choices left without a chair.

Francisco had 17 saves with Toronto last year with a 3.55 ERA. He’s 32 years old and has a career 3.72 ERA.

Bobby Parnell didn’t appear to be up to the closing job in 2011 so the Mets had to go outside the organization. But it didn’t make sense to go for the high end closers like Papelbon or Heath Bell because the Mets don’t look like they’ll be winning a lot of games in 2012. There’s nothing to save if you’re losing.

Francisco is a solid, low-end closer that doesn’t break the bank. He’ll hold down the fort for two seasons while the Mets ride out the contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana.

Video: Jose Reyes Agrees to Marlins Contract

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: Jos...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Most media outlets are reporting that Jose Reyes agreed to a 6 year/$106 million contract with the Marlins that includes a seventh year option at $22 million with a $4 million buyout. The Marlins are not giving Reyes a no-trade clause. He’ll join recently signed Heath Bell and incumbent shortstop Hanley Ramirez on the Miami roster.

It’s a sad day for Mets fans and it looks pretty silly that the Mets didn’t trade him during the 2011 season when they could have gotten something for him. The Mets will not receive the Marlins first round pick because of the Marlins poor record last season.

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Mets Add To 40-Man Roster – Havens, Nieuwenhuis, More

Reese Havens
Image by Eric Kilby via Flickr

On Friday the Mets announced that they added seven minor league players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. The players that they added were pitchers Robert Carson and Jeurys Familia, second baseman Reese Havens, and outfielders Wilmer Flores, Juan Lagares, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Cesar Puello.

Prior to this move the Mets removed Nick Evans and Jason Pridie from the 40-man roster. Both players elected for free agency and Pridie signed a minor league deal with the Oakland A’s.

As the Mets continue to trim their budget, we should see some of these prospects getting a look in spring training for spots on the 25-man roster. Havens especially deserves a shot at the second base job despite his injury history. He’s probably the best second baseman in the organization right now. Also expect Nieuwenhuis to get a look at the center or right field positions in the spring. He’s coming off season ending shoulder surgery but should be ready to go in February.

Jose Reyes to Marlins Not Done Deal

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Jose Reyes #7 (R...
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There’s been a lot of chatter this week about Jose Reyes having two meetings with the Marlins since he hit free agency. The Marlins executives were in New York last week for a meeting and Reyes was in Miami for lunch and a tour of the new stadium on Wednesday. But don’t expect a quick resolution to Reyes’ contract situation.

Reyes is one of the top free agent position players available this offseason along with Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. As such, the top free agents will typically meet with several teams to gauge interest.

Although it seems like a long shot that Reyes will re-sign with the Mets, and it probably is a very long shot, don’t expect a quick resolution to a contract with the first team Reyes meets with. The Marlins have plenty of issues to deal with including how to handle the fact that they already have a shortstop that probably won’t want to leave that position. Hanley Ramirez’ value as a player is drastically reduced if he isn’t a shortstop anymore. It’s one of the premium defensive positions and even more so for a player that can really hit.

Video: Mets Weekly Report – Jose Reyes and Tim Byrdak

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: Jos...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In this week’s Mets Weekly Report, I talk with Kerel Cooper of OnTheBlack.com about two Mets players that have been prominent in the news this week. Everyone is concerned about the looming specter of Jose Reyes’ free agency. But there are some other big names that are going to be in free agency when the 2011 season ends including Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Kerel brings up the question “Who is more valuable to their team Reyes or Pujols?”.

We also talk about the Mets decision to re-sign relief pitcher Tim Byrdak before he hits free agency. Byrdak has had a solid year as the lefty specialist and even navigated some full innings during the 2011 season.

Check out the video below for our thoughts on Reyes and Byrdak.

Video: Mets Weekly Report – 9-11 and Bobby Parnell

New York Mets Statue of Liberty, promotion for...
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In this week’s Mets Weekly Report video I talk to Kerel Cooper of OnTheBlack.com about the September 11th game tonight and the future of Bobby Parnell. I’ll be at the game tonight against the Cubs for the September 11th remembrance ceremony. It should be an emotional night with families of the victims in attendance along with some of the heroes of 9/11, some of the members of the 2001 Mets, and Marc Anthony singing the national anthem.

We also talk about the recent struggles of Parnell. The problems that he’s had recently have caused some fans to reconsider whether he should be the Mets closer now and if there’s a future in closing for him. Although I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen from Parnell recently, I think there’s hope for the future. Check out the video below to see why and leave your comments at the bottom of the page.