Mets non-tender Maine, Green & Carter
The Mets have non-tendered John Maine, Sean Green and Chris Carter, meaning they are now free agents.
It was expected that Maine would be released. Green returning had been debated. However, Carter is kind of a surprise, since he wasn’t even yet eligible for arbitration. I am rather confused by him ending up off the roster, and I’m eager to learn more about his departure.
Green was not very good in 2010. Of course, he changed his delivery, injured himself and then struggled in his return, so who knows what he’s truly capable of being next season. He probably would have been awarded the same money in 2011 that he earned in 2010, just under $1 million. And so, though I get the debate, ultimately, I expected the Mets to tender him a contract, knowing they could cut him early in Spring Training and pay just $160,000 , as Adam Rubin reported earlier this week. Like I said the other day, they can’t be too picky about bullpen arms these days, especially for $160,000, but I guess they disagree.
Meanwhile, they did tender contracts to R.A. Dickey, Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfrey.
Updated at 6:10 am:
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Carter would had to have earned $200,000 or more in Triple-A next season, plus minor league salary.
“The Mets are now allowed to re-sign him if both sides choose, with a new split contract that calls for a far lower salary,” Rubin explains.
OK, that makes sense. Thanks, Adam. I like Carter’s bat. I know he struggles in the field, but the guy can hit, and he’s young and not even yet arbitration eligible, so I’d hate to see him get away. Of course, that is a lot of money to be paying a minor league bat. So, hopefully, the two sides figure out a way to keep him around.
