Mets Land Jason Bay - ESPN Video

Mets sign Ryota Igarashi

The New York Mets today announced that they signed righthanded pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract.

Igarashi, 30, was 47-29 with 54 saves and a 3.25 ERA in 507 games for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League from 1999-2009. He recorded 630 strikeouts in 570 innings for an average of 9.95 strikeouts per nine innings.

He is expected to be used as a setup man for K-Rod.

Here is some footage of  him:

Buzz: The Bay Situation, Mets/Reds talk Arroyo + 2

The Jason Bay situation seems to be a one horse race (Mets) as the Seattle Mariners have traded for Milton Bradley to be their left fielder. It seems that the Mets will be bidding against themselves for his services. The Mets apparently have upped their offer to five years according to New York Post. But some are reporting that the Mets might go six years (which would be a mistake).

Some sources say the deal is close to being done and it will include five years with a sixth year option. Metsblog is saying that the Mets will hear from Bay today

The Mets losing out on such names as John Lackey and Roy Halladay are looking to upgrade their rotation by way of a trade. The latest rumor from Mark Healey from Baseball Digest has the Mets trying to trade for Bronson Arroyo and two other players.. Can one player possibly be Brandon Phillips, the second basemen from Cincinnati?  Will Luis Castillo be on his way out of New York? Stay tuned

One unnamed official said that this deal might be hammered out right before pitchers and catchers because of so many moving parts.

What do the Mets do now ?

The Mets are always caught with their pants down and today proves to be true.

Now that John Lackey the Mets number two free agent target has been gobbled up by Boston and the Phillies have pushed themselves way past the Mets with the Roy Halladay trade,  What do the Mets do now?

The Mets now have to bolster the rotation. If you look at the free agent starting pitching market, it looks very  slim. The Mets have only to look  forward to see what Aroldis Chapman has in Houston tomorrow in a workout.  This guy can be a difference maker. He throws hard and he is a lefty. This can off-set the Phillies potent lefty Lineup.

Here is some footage from You tube:





The Mets can also look into Erik Bedard, who is a free agent. Bedard has been hampered with a number of injuries in the past, but is only 28 years old. He if healthy again can help the Mets.

The Mets also can give a incentive laden contract to Chien-Ming Wang. I am sure he would like to stick it up the Yanks ass during the subway series. But again low risk, high reward and he will return in May.

The there is the group of  Jason Marquis, Doug Davis, and Joel Pineiro. All of which I think might be a big mistake right now.

A guy I do not mind seeing for the back end of the rotation is Jon Garland. Maybe the Mets could pick him up.

As far as the offense goes the Mets have to go out and get a difference maker like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay with Bay being a most likely fit. The Mets will give him the money in order not to call for Omar's head in New York.

Metsblog  is reporting that the mets will have interest in a non tendered free agent like Ryan Garko or Jack Cust to help out Daniel Murphy at first base.

The Mets can try and get creative with a trade and maybe land a Roy Oswalt from Houston with Mike Pelfrey being a chip.

Omar wake up and smell your seat, it's burning!

Non-Tender Candidates that might interest the Mets

Last night at midnight was the deadline for non tendered contracts (basically means they will not offer a contract to them and will become free agents)   The Mets have decided not to bring back Tim Redding, Jeremy Reed, and Cory Sullivan, and Lance Broadway. For a full list click here.

The Mets have many holes to fill on their roster. The so called pursuit of John Lackey remains a mystery. Yesterday there was published reports that they might have made a offer but then it was shaken off that they will pursue Jason Bay more than Lackey and not both. If you have been sleeping under a rock, the Mets made a offer of 4 years,65 Million. It also has been reported that it needs to be lengthened, which means one more year.. The same obstacle that made the Mets not sign Derek Lowe last year and we all know how that ended.

Here are some non tendered candidates that might interest the Mets:

1B (3B/OF) - Garrett Atkins - Once a big HR threat, but his numbers are down while his salary keeps rising. He was expected to make 7 Million this year if he went to arbitration. He is a defensive liability (no range) and might not be as affective away from Coors field.

1B/OF - Ryan Garko - He once was considered a big prospect. The Mets and many other clubs liked him a year ago. He could be used as a backup/platoon to Daniel Murphy at first base and can play the outfield. 

RP - Matt Capps - One of the smaller names that closed games. He is only 26 years old and the Mets could use him to set up games like they tried to with JJ Putz.

2B - Kelly Johnson - He was a offensive juggernaut two years ago, but has been dealing with wrist injuries. He can play outfield too. The Mets still have to move Castillo's contract before some like this can happen and it might be a long shot to do so.

OF - Ryan Church - Will Minaya make a offer to bring back Ryan Church?  He does play good defense and can be a good 4th OF. I think Ryan would like to play everyday and probably stay away from New York and Mike Francessa.

IF/OF - Alfredo Amezaga - The Mets like this guy and he can be very valuable to them. He is a switch hitter and can play almost anywhere in the infield. He also can play the outfield. I would like to see the Mets sign him because he is a scrappy type of player the Mets could use.