6:47pm: ESPN New York's Adam Rubin hears that it is "very unlikely" the Mets will add Rodriguez because they think Rob Johnson or Mike Nickeas will hit enough as Josh Thole's backup (all Twitter links). A second source said definitively: "We are not bringing Ivan here."
5:48pm: The Mets haven’t ruled out signing free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Puma of the New York Post tweets. However, they want to be sure Johan Santana is healthy before spending the $2MM or so remaining in their budget. If the left-hander gets injured, the Mets would allocate their remaining funds toward a starting pitcher.
A Mets official spoke with Rodriguez as recently as ten days ago, telling the veteran backstop to “stay in shape” in case anything happens. The 21-year veteran has fielded a few inquiries this offseason, including one from the Diamondbacks, but he says it’s been a tough market for veteran players such as himself. Rodriguez, 40, posted a .218/.281/.323 line in 137 plate appearances last year, preventing 13 of the 25 stolen base attempts against him.
The Beat Goes On.
Fred Wilpon needs to sell this team.
only 2 million left? time to sell some more shares
Give Varitek a call. He’s better.
At this point, call Mike Piazza! See if he’s interested.
I wish this guy could find some team to play for. Then again I won’t mind if he wants to be with Nats organization in some coaching capacity.
Shouldn’t Thole be backing someone up?
If nobody signs Rodriguez or Johnny Damon, are their agents going to charge the owners with collusion? I don’t think my system can take that again.
I imagine it has been ‘a tough market’ for 40 year old catchers
Yogi! He’d be cheap but you’d have to have a steep health insurance policy.
I don’t want the Pudge on the Mets. No way.
he aint no bargain and wont bring anything to the table wise move by the wilpons he was good in his prime
He could teach Thole a thing or two.
I would bring him in, I mean seriously what do we have to lose. We really dont know what Josh Thole will give us this season . As far as the backup Mike Nicks we know what he is and that is a above avg defender and has No Bat. I would say lets bring him in because the guy wants to play and wants to play a couple more seasons so he has something to prove. Im with this move, If anyone wants to comment on my comments please do so and I will happily respond.