Barajas likely to be Mets' starting catcher
Rod Barajas #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks to throw to first base against the New York Yankees. (August 10, 2009) Credit: Getty Images
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Omir Santos and Josh Thole had a busy first day in the bullpen catching the likes of Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez. But off the field, the Mets were finalizing a deal to bring in veteran Rod Barajas, who now is the favorite to win the starter's job after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1 million, a person familiar with the situation confirmed yesterday.
The Mets, who already have penciled in Henry Blanco as the backup, got involved with Barajas this past week and upped the ante to a major-league offer to keep pace with the Rangers, his other serious suitor.
Barajas, who can earn another $1 million in incentives, ultimately may have accepted less money to come to New York because he is almost certain to be named the starter over Santos and Thole.
Barajas, 34, batted only .226 in 125 games for the Blue Jays last season, but he did hit 19 home runs with 71 RBIs. Heading into the offseason, the Mets' primary catching target was Bengie Molina, a similar offensive player with some power and a subpar on-base percentage. But Molina, apparently frustrated by the Mets' delay in getting to a two-year deal, opted to accept a one-year contract from the Giants and remain in San Francisco.
With Barajas as the starter, Blanco, 38, is expected to catch roughly two days a week, and he could wind up behind the plate often when Johan Santana pitches. Santana won the 2004 Cy Young Award with the Twins, who had fellow Venezuelan Blanco behind the plate.
Barajas threw out 34 percent of would-be base-stealers (27-for-80) last season. Santos, 28, cut down 30 percent (15-for-50) with the Mets. Blanco nailed 40 percent (18-for-45) with the Padres.
