According to SI's Jon Heyman, the Mets "tweaked their offer to Jason Bay," offering five guaranteed years as an alternative. This five-year contract is at a "slightly lower" salary than the $16.25MM featured in their four-year, $65MM offer. Heyman says the Mets are willing to go to five years and $75MM for Bay, which would be a $15MM salary.
Heyman says the Mets focused on Bay in hopes of signing him more quickly than Matt Holliday. However, GM Omar Minaya will now jump in on Holliday and may talk to Scott Boras today. If the Mets have their sights set on one of the two big-name sluggers, competition could come from the Angels for Bay and the Cardinals for Holliday.
ESPN's Buster Olney feels differently – he says the Mets are currently at four years for Bay but could go to five eventually, and are monitoring the Holliday talks but not actively involved.
Heyman adds that the Mets' talks for Bengie Molina are at a standstill, due to Molina's demand for a three-year deal in the $20MM range. Hopefully the Mets are not that desperate. Heyman believes the Mets might do two years and $10MM for the 35-year-old. With all the lousy catchers getting two guaranteed years, Molina certainly has a case.
