The Jason Bay saga continues for yet another day as both sides continue to hold firm on their positions. The Mets of course, are yet unwilling to budge from their original 4 year offer, while the Bay camp insists it will take a deal longer than 4 years for them to agree. Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes,

The Mets continue to hold to their position that they don’t need to significantly improve their offer of four years for approximately $65 million, at least not until they are convinced that the 31-year-old Bay has a better alternative.

My biggest fear is that as long as the Mets remain in this holding pattern, some team can still swoop in, make a substantially better offer, and pull the rug out from under the Mets. Ken Davidoff of Newsday reported that the Mets expected to hear back from Jason Bay today. Hopefully, this could lead to some sort of resolution. 

Mets Get Their Setup Man

The Mets finally made it official and announced the signing of Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two-year, $3 million dollar deal. Igarashi will essentially replace J.J. Putz and become the Mets’ setup man for closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old righthander went 3-2 with three saves and a 3.19 ERA in 56 games last season.

“We’ve had an interest in Ryota for two years,” GM Omar Minaya said in a statement “He’s got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger .”

From all accounts, this looks like a great signing for the Mets and at reasonable cost as well. Igarashi was considered the hardest thrower in Japan and features a mid-nineties fast ball among his repertoire.

A National Treasure?

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes the Mets and Phillies are among several teams who are interested in the recently on-tendered relief pitcher Mike MacDougal, formerly of the Nationals.

MacDougal, 32,  was 20 for 21 in save opportunities last season after joining the Nationals. The right hander has a career ERA of 4.09 with 70 saves in 314 games.

He has a very heavy fastball that sits at around 96-97 mph, along with a plus slider, and an average change-up and curve ball. He has been plagued with control problems throughout his career.

I’m not sure what the interest is here… With Igarashi already on board, as well as right handers Sean Green, Brian Stokes and Bobby Parnell, I don’t see the logic in adding another RH reliever, especially one that will probably get a multi year deal averaging a minimum of $3 million annually.

Mets Still Interested In Cuban Free Agent

Jorge Arangure of ESPN says that 21 year-old Cuban free-agent Aroldis Chapman threw about 50 pitches for dozens of scouts representing about 15 MLB teams in Houston.

Arangue’s report suggests that the results of the exhibition were somewhat inconclusive. Due to bad weather the workout took place indoors. Chapman wore sneakers, and threw about 40-50 pitches off a wooden mound reaching as high as 97 mph, though mostly in the 92-93 mph range. He did not face any live batters.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN (via MetsBlog),

“Some evaluators view Chapman as a left-handed Stephen Strasburg, who was the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft last year.”

You had me at Strasburg… Chapman is young, has electric stuff and is left handed… All qualities that would keep me very interested and engaged. If he is really a “number one overall” caliber talent, the Mets should make every attempt to reel him in.

Matt Capps, RP – Capps would be an interesting reliever to consider for the Mets. Only 26 years old, it was surprising to see the Pirates let him go. After posting solid seasons for the Bucs in 07 and 08, he slumped in 2009 during an injury (elbow) marred campaign that saw his ERA balloon to 5.69. However, his career ERA stands at a respectable 3.61 with a 1.17 WHIP to go with it. Capps was still able to post a career high 7.61 K/9 ratio last season, and the former closer could make an excellent setup man for the Mets at a cost of about $2,5 million dollars. Two thumbs up.

D.J. Carrasco, RP – Another surprise non tender, Carrasco, 33, led both leagues in relief innings pitched and posted a 3.76 ERA. He prefers to be a starter, but seems to be more effective in a relief role. His WHIP jumped from 1.13 in 2008 to 1.41 in 2009. Depending on his price, he may be worth a flyer. One thumb up, one thumb down.

Ryan Garko, 1B – The right handed Garko will be 29 in January, and was in the midst of a solid career before a trade to the Giants changed all that. After a 90 RBI season in 2008, Garko slipped to 51 RBI’s last season with 13 homers and a .269 batting average. The first baseman has a career .313 batting average and a .887 OPS against LHP which would suggest he’d be the perfect platoon mate for Daniel Murphy. His defense is ranked well above league average at first base. Two thumbs up.

Mike MacDougal, RP – The writing was on the wall for MacDougal when the Nationals acquired Brian Bruney last week from the Yankees. He saved 20 games in 2009, but it wasn’t pretty. Still, he may have some value at the backend of a bullpen. But this is one former Royals prospect that I’d stay away from. Two thumbs down.

Jonny Gomes, OF – I have always been intrigued by Gomes ever since his breakout year in 2005 when he hit 21 homeruns and batted .282 for the Rays. He has never come close to repeating that campaign, but still has some pop in his bat. Now 29, his terrible LH/RH splits suggests that he is probably best suited for a platoon role. Defensively, Gomes is far below average as a corner outfielder, and he doesn’t seem like a good fit patrolling the vast expanses of CitiField. Still, his power against left handed pitching is worth consideration. One thumb up, one thumb down.

Previous Non Tendered Player Reviews

Jack Cust, OF – Two thumbs down.

Garrett Atkins, 1B/3B – Two thumbs up.