The Rangers' search for a reliable catcher may be taking them to a former Ranger who they pursued in the offseason. T.R. Sullivan and Chris Cox of MLB.com report that if the Mets put Rod Barajas on the market, the Rangers will have an interest in the veteran catcher. Sullivan and Cox notes that Texas is contacting several clubs about finding a solution to their catching problems.
Barajas turned down a minor-league contract from Texas over the winter, eventually signing a one-year deal with New York worth $500K. He has already earned a $400K bonus for making the Opening Day roster, and another $1MM is also available if Barajas reaches other incentive plateaus. Even if he gets to that maximum price, Barajas has been a bargain for the Mets, hitting a club-leading 10 homers and carrying an OPS of .893 into Friday's game with the Yankees.
Sullivan and Cox cite sources who say that if the Mets do choose to deal Barajas, it won't be until much closer to the July trade deadline. This could be to try and create a bidding war for the catcher's services, or maybe the Mets still think they can get back into contention.
NO!!!!!
Yea too bad he will never be available….should have signed him in the offseason
Isn’t it amazing that catchers of this type (low quality) are being marketed and hyped like they are some high priced commodity? It is just absurd. Rockies think that “can’t hit so sent to AAA AND overpaid at 8.35M over 3 years” Ianetta is worth a boatload of prospects. 35YO NYM Barajas who does not know a pitch he won’t swing at and will probably end up costing 2M this year being branded about for decent prospects. Teams are better off with the decent people they have then throwing away GOOD PROSPECTS for these low caliber players.
Ok, our Barajas for your Martin Perez, please?
No? We have our own Perez to replace yours, free of charge. 🙂