With the signing of Rod Barajas, it appears the Mets have a new starter set behind the plate for the 2010 season. Rumor has it that Barajas will make $1MM guaranteed with another $1MM in easily obtained incentives. Earlier this winter Bengie Molina signed a 1 year, $4.5MM contract with the San Francisco Giants. The Mets were praised by some (fans) and blasted by others (media) for not upping their offer to obtain the veteran backstop.
Barajas diving into the stands for a foul ball. There was a similar picture of Bengie, but I'm 99% certain he just saw a fan holding a Twinkie.
I thought it might be fun (/statistics junkie) to compare and rank Barajas and Molina as well as Brian Schneider, whom the Mets are replacing at the position. The comparisons are solely of an offensive nature and do not take into account fielding or running like molasses (except perhaps in runs scored). Barajas is supposed to be an excellent fielding catcher, but then again – the same was rumored about Schneider, and we all know how that turned out.
The comparison/ranking chart is featured below, but I’ll quickly run through the basics first. I only used the last three seasons, then took a total of the three using weighted averages for OBP, SLG, and OPS, while calculating the average number of HR/RBI/R/SO per 135 games played. I don’t know how many games Barajas will start this season, but 135 seems reasonable. I would risk to the lower side (110-120?), but it doesn’t really matter in this instance. Anyway, in most of the categories Molina came out first and Schneider came out last, with Barajas in the middle. Considering that Barajas will get paid less than half of what Molina makes this season, this move just makes sense for the Mets. Schneider signed for two seasons with the Phillies, as a backup, and will most likely make a bit less than Bajaras per year. Adding in Barajas’ supposedly solid defense, it just seems like the Mets were far better off paying him $1-2MM than paying Molina $5MM. But please make your own judgment and post it in the comments!
62 comments
stickguy
2/22/2010-7:56am at 7:56 am (UTC -4)
schnieder really wasn’t very good, was he?
I am not all that concerned about the money they saved, the issue was more locking an old C up for 2 years (which Bengie would have been most likely). So major +1 to Rowdy Roddy for that one.
I will also be curious to see how they perform this year. I know ROd isn’t young, but he is a bit younger than Molina, right? And must be lighter. It would not surprise me to see Molina tail off worse, but who knows.
At least the Mets have some depth now. A couple of guys with valid ML experience, one of whom is actually fairly young, and a real prospect knocking on the door.
Much better than having Schnieder and Castro getting hurt (or stinking), with only some shot old catching instructors and Robinson Cancel in reserve.
Kill Omar all you want for not getting the SPs of your dreams, but he did bring in plenty of reasonably liegit ML depth/backups for C, 1B and the OF. Only really missed at MI (still worried about what would happen if Reyes or Castillo missed a chunk of time, since Cora ain’t the answer as a starter). Hey – Lopez is still out there!
njstuckintx
2/22/2010-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
You know, while listen to Mike & Mike on the way into work, they started the reviews of the teams. I heard the Marlins and the Tigers. The Marlins really did nothing and the Tigers downsized or “got younger” as the hip and trendy would say. Then they throw in there that while it is expected that the Fish will slightly tail off (as pre Bobby V), the only real class team in the division was the Phils, they expected the Braves to stay about the same and that the Mets did nothing to upgrade their team. I’m not angered by this, but more befuddled. I know we follow the Mets and can whip out the names of minor leagers with high hope that others would have no clue about, but come on. How can you say they didn’t get better? They upgraded a week C position, added Bay to the outfield, upgraded the bench and added pieces to the bullpen. I know that the glaring need wasn’t addressed in the Starting Pitchers, but they aren’t chopped liver. There is a possibility they could be ok or even pretty good. Maybe it’s just easier to repeat the Mets suck drivel than form a well constructed arguement based on facts to lay out exactly what the Mets are.
trs86
2/22/2010-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
Media drivel. They don’t know baseball or even like baseball. Thus they just repeat the talking points of others. I heard it too and could not figure out how adding Bay is not improving.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
I think you said it right, it’s easier for the media to say the Mets suck. No one will go out on a limb to say the Mets will be good except for fans. There are simply too many if’s. I honestly am starting to welcome the Mets being talked as not that good of a club. Not because I agree but rather as a fan it will be that much sweeter to watch them explain why are the Mets playing so well.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-8:29am at 8:29 am (UTC -4)
This opinion according to MC:
‘i wouldn’t be opposed to something like this at all…it gets Blanco his one game a week, which is all he will probably be able to give anyway, and if it makes Santana an even better pitcher this year, it is a win-win for everyone…’
That leaves Barajas catching the majority of the games. Given his age, does anyone expect him to be able to do that?
prismo
2/22/2010-8:33am at 8:33 am (UTC -4)
You might have their ages backwards! I should have included that info in my post.
Barajas: 34
Blanco: 38
Schneider: 33
stickguy
2/22/2010-8:35am at 8:35 am (UTC -4)
even 34 is pretty old to be catching that many games. 110-120 sounds more reasonable, which means Blanco (or whoever the BU catcher is at a given time) needs to catch 2 games per week.
Maybe Blanco will develop a special relationship with one of the other guys too (Ollie?) and they can do it that way?
prismo
2/22/2010-8:49am at 8:49 am (UTC -4)
Right, but Blanco’s 38! Who says he should catch more than one game a week?
The good news is that it doesn’t really matter. If one of these guys is overworked and gets injured, we have two-three viable back-up options waiting in AAA.
stickguy
2/22/2010-9:11am at 9:11 am (UTC -4)
Not saying Blanco should, just that Barajas probably shouldn’t catch 6!
prismo
2/22/2010-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Well we can’t have three catchers on the roster! It’s a waste. I say just play the two hard, and if one gets injured we call up Santos. Barajas and Blanco have heavy incentive-laden contract anyway.
stickguy
2/22/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
I agree about needing the depth, which is why you keep santos, even if it means AAA is a little crowded.
But, unless you have Mauer or Piazza starting, the BU catcher better be strong enough to start 2 games per week when their isn’t an off day, or you are going to have a problem. Especially when the starter is 34.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-8:59am at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
I was referring to Barajas – even though I thought he was 35, not 34. Was wondering if even at that age he would stay healthy enough all year to catch the majority of the games.
Might be seeing Thole sooner than expected – or Santos back up, if we keep him.
stickguy
2/22/2010-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
I think they need to keep santos. They do need the depth, and they can do it (since he has options).
I don’t trust Blanco to stay healthy all year, and not sure if Coste can still play C on any regualr basis, so next in line is Thole.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
I’m in agreement about Santos, unless they’re convinced Thole is ready to step up, even if an injury occurs sooner rather than later.
IMO, I think Thole needs a minimum of a half year at AAA yet.
Hopefully, Santos stays optimistic. He came up last year b/c Schneider could never stay healthy and he was younger than either of the two we’re starting with this year.
njstuckintx
2/22/2010-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
We always have Jacobs and now Tatis if necessary… I couldn’t find that we can change fonts to the “sarcastic font”. That would certainly help me for future posts.
I would think they could do 5 and 2 (barajas & blanco). 2 days a week for blanco isn’t going to kill him.
trs86
2/22/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Hey Barajas has played 14 games at 1B, does that count?
njstuckintx
2/22/2010-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
The next Victor Martinez!
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
LOL – Jacobs and Tatis…
To me, the only way we should see either one of them behind the plate is if both ‘real’ catchers go down in the same game.
trs86
2/22/2010-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Hey that’s what an emergency catcher is for.
darknova306
2/22/2010-8:34am at 8:34 am (UTC -4)
Ever since Molina made it clear that he wanted at least 2 years, I’ve liked the idea of getting Barajas instead. Better than Schneider, has some pop for the bottom of the order, and is cheap and doesn’t block the position long term. Smart signing. I’m happy to see Thole will get the chance to develop more at AAA (unless he rides a red hot spring into Jerry’s gangsta bus and gets the starting job).
I do feel kinda bad for Santos, but since injuries happen to every team every year he could very well get another shot at some point.
trs86
2/22/2010-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
tweets that Barajas’ deal pays $500K guaranteed, $400K if he’s on the Opening Day roster, and $1MM in games played incentives.
Not bad at all.
stickguy
2/22/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
A starting catcher for about the price of Tatis, or 1/2 of Cora?
I would agree that isn’t too bad.
I like that none of the moves really prevent the Mets from making major deals mid-year, and they have a ton of flexibility next off season.
The media drivelers completely overlook that the mets kept the farm intact, and are actually developing some pretty good talent at the upper levels. So, depth to call up, maybe future starters, and viable chips to trade in the right deal.
So, while the FO took a risk banking on their own SPs to come through, other than that the off season was not that bad, and probably according to the plan (if you acknowledge they had one!)
I still think a 5th SP shows up (unless everyone in camp looks great and healthy in ST), and I really wish they had gotten a more flexible BU MI (lopez) who could step in if Reyes or Castillo stumbles or gets hurt (not in that order), but overall not too bad.
At least they have viable ML quality depth at C, OF and 1B this year.
ceetar
2/22/2010-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
I’m still expecting a 5th SP as well.
Also, I can’t see the mid-three SPs just sucking. Which means the Mets _will_ be within striking distance at worst come June/July. If they could swing a trade for a big pitcher there, even if the rest of the rotation after Santana sucks, they’d suddenly become favorites to win it all.
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
I agree with this. I’m not as worried about all of Maine/Pelf/Ollie sucking as I am about injuries.
I still believe that’s the one area we are rolling the dice with – another viable SP. If we are still in competition come mid season, no reason we can’t look to pick one up, if necessary.
IMO, so much of this season hinges on Santana staying healthy.
stickguy
2/22/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
yup. Best case for the SP is that santana is primed for a big year (duh there I guess), MOP all are healthy and have normal to good years (and biggest, make their starts), and Neive and Neise both pitch well and deserve the 5th spot.
But, if you can bring in (even now) a good 2/3/4 guy (arroyo? Harang? someone of that caliber say), it doesn’t really cause a bad problem, even if the best case scenerio plays out.
Instead, Neive oges to the pen (8th inning guy? Swing man?) and Neise goes to AAA to get totally ready to go, even if it isn’t FT until 2011.
What it does give you is the extra depth to withstand anything less than best case.
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
All three stink but are probably better than what Santos would be if he played every day this year.
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
The Yankees signing of Chan Ho was a good one. He was very solid in the pen last season — in both short and long relief — for the Phils.
The Yanks have made a couple of good under the radar type signings with Winn and Park, who are both solid veteran role players.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/22/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I was hoping the Mets sign Park for Mi contract with ST invite.
stickguy
2/22/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
Park did have a surprisinly good year. No idea if he is capable of having another one though!
What this does point out is how erratic BP guys are. They often go from crap to great to back to crap in consecutive years. And 1 year wonder scrap heap reclaimation projects are quite common.
The Mets got Fogg. Not all that much different than Park last year.
But again, who knows what you will get out of any of these filler guys. Escobar and toyota man could form a lock down late inning duo, or both suck. And maybe Parnell puts it all together this year. Damned if I know which way it goes!
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/22/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Haven’t checked the numbers, but I think Park had a good BP year in LA in ’08 season. So, he’s had couple good BP seasons put together.
njstuckintx
2/22/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Is that Carrie Underwood in the front row?
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Whoever she is I think perhaps she smelt a bit of cat food and that Barajas has a little cat blood in him.
njstuckintx
2/22/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Me-ouch.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
Assuming health ™ I see the catcher breakdown being Blanco catches Santana and Barajas catches almost all the rest, the exceptions being the proverbial ‘day-game-after-a-night-game’ situations. Assuming health ™ Santana makes 32-34 starts which leaves 128-130 for Barajas minus those situations.
Have their been any facts/rumors about who will be waived off the 40 man to make room for Barajas? I wonder if Santos is a possibility for that. Not waiving Santos leaves 5 catchers on the 40 man roster which is somewhat extreme. I know it’s the off season so now is not the best time to compare but in a quick look at some other teams’ 40 man rosters most teams have 2 catchers right now.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Could the Mets trying to undo their waiver claim on Marshall be the spot they are trying to free up?
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Absolutely. But will it happen in a timely enough fashion to accommodate the Barajas signing?
I just think 5 catchers on the 40 man is not a good use. I could easily see a situation in which Santos is traded/waived and Riggans is kept on his minor league deal in AAA but not on the 40 man. If anyone up here gets hurt Thole or Coste still on the 40 man to be called up and Riggans steps in to more playing time in AAA.
I just can’t see using a spot on a 5th catcher, especially one as marginal as Santos.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
True
stickguy
2/22/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
was wondering the same thing. Hopefully they can squueze him on (as NJ noted, maybe the marshall spot), or there still must be a couple of filler guys they won’t miss?
cutting Santos would really not make much sense. if anything, Coste becomes the odd man out. not expecting to see much of him anyway.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I disagree. Coste is here to tutor Thole. Clearly IMO the organization doesn’t want to hand that job to Santos. The reason Barajas is here is because of their dissatisfaction with Santos. IMO Santos is dead man walking. It might not happen soon as a direct corollary to the Barajas move but I don’t see Santos on the 40 man by Opening Day.
prismo
2/22/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
You gotta feel bad for Omir. He goes from starting catcher in NY one day to the best case scenario of starting 1 game a week in AAA the next. He seems like a really energetic guy with the right attitude, and his HR against the Red Sox was probably my favorite moment of the 2009 season.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
I completely agree and I also feel for him. But 40 man roster decisions shouldn’t be emotional and I don’t think the organization will be factoring in the Papelbon moment in their decision.
If you click on the link below, then click on the word “video” next to Santos’ name, then scroll down to May 23 you can relive it over and over. I know I have a few times. But I still think he’s gone.
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/index.php?h=NYM&p=BOS&b=
metsfan4decades
2/22/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Would it really make any difference if Coste wasn’t on the 40 man roster? We really don’t expect to see him on the big club and would we be taking any big chance losing him if he wasn’t on the 40 man roster?
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
In the grand scheme, not really. But I understand he signed here specifically because that 40 man spot was guaranteed, at least I think I remember reading that at the time.
To remove him from it would require waiving him and he might be claimed by another team, I’m not sure the Mets would be willing to take that risk assuming it’s correct about them wanting Coste here specifically to work with Thole.
Also his being on the 40 man makes it easier to call him up if unfortunately Barajas or Blanco get injured. The same of course applies to Santos but then for me it all comes down to who do the Mets want in AAA tutoring Thole, Santos or Coste? From what I can gather the answer to that question is Coste.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I love all these different reports on what are the Mets keys to success.
Can we just say the Mets keys to success is The Mets 40-man roster?
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Sure we can but it’s kind of boring
Isn’t it more sexy to say it’s Oliver Perez?
I think you’re largely correct though. I don’t see how it can be narrowed down to one key. So many things are dependent on so many other things. It’s not like tennis where it’s just one person against another (except doubles).
Oliver Perez winning 15 games with an ERA under 4.00 goes a long way, but doesn’t help much if Pelfrey spits the bit or the 5th starter position never gets filled properly or Beltran never comes back or…
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
As far as the 40 man roster I don’t know any more or less than you guys. I’m just sharing with you my thought process as to why I think Santos will be gone. I could be wrong, and on strictly an emotional level I hope I am. But if you have a moment go to mets.com and look at the 40 man roster, and look at the non-roster invitees and make some educated guesses as to what if any non-roster guys might make the club and which positions are covered and which are not by the current 40 man.
Guys like Jacobs, Fogg and Takahashi if they make the ML team have to be added. I know Figgy, AHern, Misch and Nieve are out of options so if they don’t make the ML team they’re gone. But IMO it’s pretty tight and I just don’t see how Santos fits as a 5th catcher.
If AHern is cut there is no emergency middle infielder on the 40 man available at AAA for example so it’s not as simple as just cutting him to make room for Jacobs. They may very well make room for Santos but it won’t be easy and I will be very interested to see who they cut to do it.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Agreed all i can add for what it’s worth is if a player is moved to the 60 day dl he can be removed from the 40-man roster. Not that i expect anyone going on the dl but figured it couldn’t hurt to know.
So what are the odds that the opening day lineup will include Reyes, Wright, Castillo, Murphy, Barajas, Bay, Francoeur, Pagan?
Beltran is missed already.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
Excellent point about the 60 day DL and I will not be at all surprised to find Kelvim Escobar on it. I don’t know anything and I’m certainly not rooting for it, just saying I wouldn’t be surprised. If his shoulder is very weak it would give him two months to build up the strength in it and get in some minor league rehab appearances before giving the Mets 4 good months. But I stress that’s just me saying it wouldn’t surprise me.
Assuming health ™ I think you pegged the Opening Day defense, except I’m still leaning toward Blanco as Santana’s personal catcher.
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
If the Mets choose to carry 1/8 of its 40 man roster behind the plate (for the time being) the most obvious candidates for being waived besides Jay Marshall are the recenrly acquired Jason Pridie (who is neither very good nor necessary at AAA), Anderson Hernandez (same) and Arturo Lopez.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
I agree on Pridie and Lopez they strike me as excellent candidates for waiving.
AHern I think will be gone (out of options) but my hope is the team replaces him on the 40 man with a guy capable of playing some MIF at the ML level if the need arises, because otherwise there will be no one in the minors on the 40 man who can.
I know teams don’t necessarily waive/replace guys specifically related to their position but it also seems logical to keep that balance in mind overall. For example, if Takahashi makes the 25 man, waive Lopez off the 40 man to make room. If Fogg or Dessens or anyone not currently on the 40 man makes the 25 man as early bullpen guy/long man, waive Figgy (out of options) off the 40 man to make room. And so on…
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Guys like Jolbert Cabrera and Russ Adams will not be on the 40 man but will probably in AAA if needed as middle infielders. Once Cora or Reyes or Castillo go on the DL they can be placed on the 40 man for their call up. Until that time, I guess Tatis would be the emergency middle infielder.
These guys can be placed on the 40 man once AHern is released but there’s no real urgency to do that until the time comes that they are needed. It is unlikely that one would need to be recalled without one of the incumbents being injured enough to be placed on the DL.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Does just the 15 day DL count for roster placement, or does it have to be the 60 day DL?
I could be wrong but I thought it was just the 60, so if say Cora goes on the 15 day, to bring up someone from AAA they would either already have to be on the 40 man or someone else would have to be waived at that time to make room.
That’s my understanding anyway, if I’m wrong then great because the process becomes much less difficult and any worry about it can be focused on other more relevant items. If I’m right I’m confident the team is perfectly capable of waiving someone as needed to make room, there is no urgency to do it now.
Mr North Jersey
2/22/2010-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
The 40-man roster:
A Club’s 40-man roster is a list of all the players currently reserved by a Club at the Major League level. The Major League Rules permit each Club to reserve a maximum of 40 players (excluding players on the 60-day disabled list) at any one time. From September 1 through the end of the season the entire 40-man roster is eligible to play for the Club at the Major League level. From Opening Day through August 31, however, a Club may use only 25 of its 40 players in the Majors.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/rules_regulations.jsp
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
According to Wikipedia you are correct.
So if Hernandez is gone, one of Green, Cabrera or Adams will have to be added.
And I would be just as bad as Omar in configuring a roster for injury contingencies.
GravediggerHebner
2/22/2010-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Well every emergency contingency can’t realistically be covered. I imagine they have a list on a post-it note somewhere in the office covering who to waive if a 40 man spot becomes necessary.
stickguy
2/22/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
A Hern at least can be called up to play every day. not that much of a hitter, but at least a ML quality defender.
The other 2 guys are on the 40 man? Yup, they would be the filler to trim.
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
I think AHern will have to pass through waivers before he can go back to AAA.
wannybackstra
2/22/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
Of the Mets non-roster invitees, several contain realistic chances of going north with the team:
Jacobs
Takahashi
Fogg
Dessens
Dickey
Catalanotto
and to a much lesser degree Ike Davis.
stickguy
2/22/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
Davis would have to have one hell of a spring (or everyone else would ahve to get really hurt) to break camp with the Mets.
And when in doubt, options are going to be the tie breaker.
Dessens and Dickey have to be early favorites for odd man out status too. The others all have a chance.
One thing I am not sure of is if guys signed to MiL contracts have to clear waivers? Meaning, do options come into play?
I am pretty sure they don’t so all of those MiL deal ST invite guys can get shipped to AAA no problem.
No idea, of course, if they then have to be put on the 40 man!
whataputz
2/22/2010-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
How does Barajas have a lower obp than Molina? The guy walked literally 13 times the entire season.
whataputz
2/22/2010-4:49pm at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
O, I see, he only walked 20 times. Nice. Between Barajas Frenchy, and Wright, we should have quite the K collection.
darknova306
2/22/2010-5:08pm at 5:08 pm (UTC -4)
Bay also strikes out at a pretty decent clip.