Posada Could Join Mets, Marlins

George King has some Yankee info for us this morning, much of it involving Jorge Posada.

Mark Feinsand noted yesterday that the Yanks plan to offer a three-year, $40MM contract to Posada.  King is on board, indicating that he expects a three-year deal in the $39-44MM range for the catcher.  I'm sticking to my guns - I think this requires four guaranteed years in the end.  But upping the average annual value to arrive at a 3/45 deal seems plausible.

King also mentions that the Mets and Marlins are both likely to be interested in Posada.  The Mets are no surprise.  But King indicates that the Fish have been "stockpiling dollars," which is news to me.  Mostly we've been hearing that they want to make a low-level veteran signing or two but don't figure to be able to afford both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera for 2008.

Comments

[04Forever]

Either Willis or Cabrera is gone, the Marlins obviously have big plans to sign some veteran talent and they arent speaking very highly about these two guys, whom obviously dont fit into their plans. Atleast one of them has to go to free up some money and space

[metafrantic]

That's just absurd. Why would the Marlins waste that kind of money on a 36-year-old catcher who's going to want at least 3 years, and probably 4? Both Willis and Cabrera will be cheaper per year, and shorter commitments. And I'd rather have Cabrera in my lineup than Posada any day, even if his production does come from the catcher position.

The Marlins' offense wasn't their problem in 2007 - it was their terrible pitching. They were LAST in the NL in WHIP, ERA, BB Allowed and Runs Allowed. They were 15th (out of 16) in BAA and had the 5th-most Blown Saves. And despite having the 4th-most K's/9, they had the second-worst K/BB ratio. If the Marlins have $14 million per year in payroll to blow, they should spend it on a solid starter and a couple decent bullpen additions.

[zs190]

Would not be surprised if they really do have a lot of money. A team with 30 million payroll stand to get a lot of revenue sharing and they haven't put any to use. I think they do have a lot of money but I don't see them wanting to spend it, even less likely on Posada. I wouldn't rule out the Mets but in the end, I think it's probably going to be Yankees.

[coolpapabell]

The Mets are nothing more than LEVERAGE. Jorge is going to get a very good offer from the Yanks and he is going to take it. In order for the Mets to get him,they will have to check common sense at the door. What's this Jorge, you say you want four years to beat the Yanks three year deal? No thanks.

I feel the cut off should be at three years, but the Yanks are going to give it to him, so who cares.

[jza1218]

If they were stockpiling dollars, why would they waste it all on an old catcher, albeit a quite good one, instead of signing Miguel Cabrera to a long-term deal?

[kgbaseball]

What an awful contract Posada's is going to be.

I ultimately think the Marlins won't get him. I'd like to see them go with Brad Hayes as their starter in 08. Although he won't hit much, his defense is already top notch.

[kgbaseball]

Sorry, Brett* Hayes.

[metafrantic]

Here's something I hadn't realized... according to Cot's Baseball Contracts (http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/new-york-yankees_111398168678860040.html), Posada had a Player Option for 2008 that vested when he exceeded 330 games caught from 2004-2006 (he had 401). It didn't say how much the option was for, but it had a $4 milion buyout.

Assuming Posada declines the option (and he's got to), he stands to get $4m on top of whatever yearly salary he gets from a new contract. And that's $4m more on the Yankees' books for 2008.

[metafrantic]

Whoops, sorry, the link got screwed up:

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/new-york-yankees_111398168678860040.html

[John Peterson]

I don't understand. The Marlins are going to trade Willis/Cabrera, AND sign veterans? That doesn't make any sense. Are they trying to compete for 2008? Or what?

It would make a lot of sense for them to trade Cabrera and move Ramirez to third. The Marlins can improve themselves a lot just by making some position changes. Cabrera is not good enough defensively to be a 3B, and neither is Ramirez good enough to be a SS. Uggla lives up to his name at 2B, too.

[Baseballfan79]

This would make little sense

Actually it makes more sense that fish are stockpiling money for their new stadium deal which is about to happen (just got authorized the funding gap from the city of miami btw).

And use that stockpiled money for either ARod or Miggy long term or both. Sign Arod and Miami packs that stadium as he is loved down here and breaking records draws out fans. This is an event town and if they prove they are in it to win then they have it all. ARod will pay for his contract by himself with sales of multiple areas.

Lineup:
1B Jacobs
2B Uggla
SS ARod
3B Cabrera
RF Hermida
CF Hanley Ramirez
LF Josh Willingham
C Matt Treanor/Brett Hayes/ Baker or perhaps sign LoDuca for cheap

get Johnson back midseason and sanchez back and mark wiley fixes Willis like I expect him to and we have a contender.

possible but loria spending money is the question. He did it in 04 and 05. Will he do it after he gets the stadium deal to buy good faith from the people of south florida?

Other option I see to draw fans is barry bonds

[Barroid_Bonds]

The Marlins would sign Miguel Cabrera long term but I don't know about Dontrelle. I would like this move by the Marlins so they actually have a veteran catcher leading there young pitching staff. 30 Million dollars just doesn't disappear for any MLB team. Maybe there just wasn't anyone the Marlins wanted last year...

[chicagosportslove23]

does anyone else see signing posada this offseason similar to the javy lopez debacle in 2004?

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Minus the roids, but yeah.

[bjsguess]

At 4 years an NL club would be crazy to consider Posada. Catchers tend not to age well, especially guys who have caught as many games as Posada.

[scribbletone]

Adding Posada to the Mets would make them so dangerous.
SS Reyes
2B Castillo
CF Beltran
3B Wright
1B Delgado
C Posada
LF Alou
RF Milledge/Gomez

That's an American League quality lineup there, no holes at all

[scribbletone]

Also to add, at this point i dont think it is worth trading Willis, give him one more year to see if he can straighten himself out. Meanwhile Cabrera's value could never be higher, and considering the way he takes care of himself you need to consider moving him. The Dodgers would likely be willing to give up Kemp, Kershaw and LaRoche. And if they were to add Lo Duca with the extra money that team looks good.
SS Ramirez
2B Uggla
1B Jacobs
LF Willingham
RF Hermida
C Lo Duca
3B LaRoche
CF Kemp

Some really good potential there, and with a rotation including Dontrelle Willis, Kershaw, A. Sanchez, Olsen, Josh Johnson, Mitre, Gaby Hernandez, Chris Volstad and Ricky Nolasco, this team would be very set in the long term, and would still hold Dontrelle as trade bait

[Baseballfan79]

If the fish trade Miggy to the Dodgers they will be getting back Martin and Kemp in the deal imo. They need a catcher for the long term and most likely that would be the requirement.

[nrmax88]

Is Miggy even worth Martin straight up? How many catchers are there that are going to catch almost every game, post .800 OPS in their first 2 big league seasons ( I know, I know, his OPS was only .791 in 2006), hit 20 home runs, steal 20 bags, call a strong game, and have a strong throwing arm? Now how many are there that are under control for 4 more years ( I believe) and making crumbs? It is easier to find a stud bat that will end up at 1B or DH in 3 or 4 years then it is to find an all star backup that you can have as the face of your franchise for the next 10 years. Thats my opinion anyway.

[nrmax88]

backup*

supposed to say backstop.