Note: The Fall-Back Positions, and Thole-Santos
In a post to Mets Minor League Blog, Toby Hyde explains why, considering the weak 
free-agent market for catchers, it might be best for the Mets to start next season with a Josh Thole-Omir Santos platoon behind the plate.
…frankly, i expect the Mets to sign a veteran catcher before the Winter Meetings, someone like Jose Molina, Chad Moeller or Henry Blanco, i.e., a very good, steady, defensive catcher, who is not a great hitter, but who can start if need be, go to Triple-A, or come in late in games… he will not be their first choice, obviously, but he’ll be a decent fall-back position…
…then, i have to think the Mets will explore the trade market for catchers during the Winter Meetings, especially guys like D-Backs C Chris Snyder, Royals C John Buck and Pirates C Ryan Doumit, or Indians C Kelly Shoppach, who is a non-tender candidate…
…in the end, though, i fear they’ll end up signing Bengie Molina, or Rod Barajas, both of whom are seeking long-term deals…
…actually, this seems to always be Omar Minaya’s way, i.e., fill each hole with ‘a guy,’ any guy, after which he will attack the Winter Meetings knowing he at least has a full roster… as such, it would not shock me to see the team also bring in a veteran middle infielder, or re-sign Alex Cora or Fernando Tatis, then tender a contract to a guy like Cory Sullivan, just so spots are filled… and so, this is not to say these are the final pieces to the puzzle, not by a long shot, but they are pieces… the Mets usually have another wave of these sort of signings in the weeks before Spring Training as well…
