Buzz: Santana recruited Blanco, Mets Plan at C
According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, Johan Santana helped the Mets recruit C Henry Blanco, who the team signed yesterday to a one-year deal.
Yesterday, MetsBlog reader Michael D sent me an e-mail:
“I think this might be we’re free and clear with not having to be stuck with Bengie Molina and Jeff Francoeur whiffing back to back. Omar Minaya has signed too may backup catchers and bit players to be thinking about committing to a guy like Molina, who’d likely play regularly. If Molina was here, especially at some of the prices mentioned, he’d get the starts, the backup would be mostly unimportant and wouldn’t likely be getting figures like 1.5million.”
…i disagree, unfortunately…
…the plan, i think, is to have a Molina-Blanco Combination in the big leagues, to totally switch up the catching situation from last season, and with Chris Coste, Josh Thole and Omir Santos at Triple A, where thole will get the bulk of the playing time, coste will play some first base, and with santos getting the shaft…
…Brian Schneider is getting $1.37 million from the Phillies to be a back up… Ramon Castro made $2.75 million last season… so, blanco, who is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, getting $1.5 million, is not as crazy as it seems…
…i believe the Mets want molina on a one-year deal, probably around $6 million, with an option for 2011, though he probably wants a two– or three-year deal…
Last night, on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, MLB Insider Jon Heyman said Minaya offered Molina a three-year, $18 million deal in late 2005, before trading to get C Paul LoDuca from the Marlins.
