With news that the Mets have signed catcher Rod Barajas, it certainly adds some punch to the bottom of the order that we didn’t have with Omir Santos or Henry Blanco. Yesterday the Mets blogosphere was abuzz with the news that Jose Reyes will be the likely number three hitter at least until Carlos Beltran comes back. It’s a good time to look ahead at the projected lineup for Opening Day. 1. Angel Pagan CF  [...]

Update 4:00 PM Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports says the Mets have indeed signed free-agent Rod Barajas to a one-year, $1 million contract. Barajas can earn another $1 million in ‘easily-attainable incentives,’ according to Rosenthal. This morning I wrote that I believed Barajas would accept the Mets latest offer. I also wrote that it would signal the end of Omir Santos as a Met. He be released unless he agrees to a minor league assignment. Welcome [...]

The 2010 New York Mets remind me of how I felt about the New York Rangers when the 1993-94 season began. The Rangers in 1991-92 acquired Mark Messier from the Oilers. They won the Presidents trophy for best record in the regular season, but then lost to the Penguins in the 2nd round, after Mario Lemieux was injured. It was a heartbreaking loss. The following season the Rangers went from best record to missing the [...]

According to David Waldstein of the NY Times, the Mets are trying to void their waiver claim on left-handed pitcher Jay Marshall, who has not reported to camp because of a pre-existing shoulder injury. Jay Marshall, a left-handed reliever the Mets claimed off waivers from the Oakland Athletics last month, did not report to camp because of a sore shoulder. The Mets said it was a pre-existing injury and asked the commissioner’s office to void the claim [...]

On Thursday, Jerry Manuel unveiled his plan that he would bat Jose Reyes in the third spot spot of the lineup, at least until Carlos Beltran re-joins the team. Yesterday, Reyes was all gung-ho for the idea. “Whatever is best for the team, I’m going to do it,” Reyes said. “Manuel is the boss. Whatever he says, I’ll do it. I just want to get back on the field.” He’s such a good soldier… Mike Jacobs [...]

Rich Couthino of ESPN 1050 Radio caught up with Omar Minaya and asked him about a number of Mets issues. Omar’s thoughts on the Mets going into spring training… I like this team, I think we have a good team. It’s good to see the guys playing on the field and to see Reyes fielding groundballs… It’s nice to see Santana and Perez back on the mound… I think we’re ready to have a good year. [...]

Dizzy with Hope: Amazin (s’) Power Projections for 2010 Now that the ridiculous talk of winning the World Series in 2010 has started, why not speculate about one stat that can be a fairly important contributing factor that helps a team get to that greatest of sports’ stages, the home run. Given my sterling track record for home run predictions (Sure, bring on the wisecracks and insults!), I cannot prevent giddiness from getting the better [...]

Friday Update Adam Rubin of the Daily News spoke with Kelvim Escobar who downplayed the shoulder soreness and expects to be ready for opening day. “It’s more like getting my strength back, getting stronger,” Escobar said. On being ready for the April 5 opener against the Marlins, Escobar added: “I think so. It’s all going to depend how my arm responds to the exercises and how quickly my shoulder gets its strength back.” Escobar had [...]

There are three words every baseball fan loves to hear.  They bring us back to the time when we were kids and just wanted to have a catch with our friends.  They provide warmth in our hearts and minds during an otherwise cold winter.  They provide us with a sense of anticipation that the next season will be better than the last.  Those three words are PITCHERS AND CATCHERS and as of today, the pitchers [...]

Mets fans, you may have gotten your wish. According to Jon Heyman of SI, and coupled with multiple reports over the past few days to verify, it appears that Rod Barajas may accept the low-ball figure from the Mets. It is a minor league deal for about $1MM dollars. Of course, if accepted, Barajas is a near-lock for the starting job with Blanco, Coste, and Santos behind him (probably in that order). If this deal [...]

“For my best friend, who loves Jake despite his low OBP, his iron glove, and his obsession with his hair. Thanks for always being there for me Pam, the way you wish Jake would be for your fantasy team.” Said by Amanda Cornoyer – The sponsor of Mike Jacobs’s Baseball Reference Page I am admittedly a fan obsessed with Daniel Murphy.  You all know that I really want this kid to succeed with the New [...]