Mets/Reds Talk, Bay May Cost Six Years, More | 
As I Tweeted last night, Sources indicate that the New York Mets may have to guarantee as many as six years in order to land free agent Jason Bay.
Though the Daily News reported today that Mets are “don’t want to bid against themselves, it appears they are not, as one AL executive told Baseball Digest Wednesday night that “one, maybe two teams have contacted Bay in the last 24 hours to gauge his interest”.
During those conversations, “preliminary offers may have been discussed”.
Another source indicated that the deal is close to being finalized and could be announced by Friday, albeit for five years and a mutual option for the sixth year.
According to the New York Post, The Mets upped their offer to five years on Wednesday.
“Even five years is too much for any player in this market,” said one Mets insider. “I’m not sure we’ll be doing (six years) without some protection.”
Mets / Reds Talk Arroyo-Plus
The other target the Mets are said to be “intently focused” on is Reds starter Bronson Arroyo, who is the subject of “serious talks” with the Mets concerning the right-hander and possibly two other players.
“If Mets just wanted (Bronson), the deal might have been done already,” said one baseball official familiar with the talks. “Mets are also discussing one, maybe two other players with Cincinnati.” He refused to disclose the names, but the early speculation in these parts is that the Mets may have a player under contract hat needs to be moved in order for the deal to be expanded.
“This one could take awhile,” said the official. “Maybe even until pitchers and catchers report … there are a lot of moving parts in this thing.”
I was also told that Ike Davis, Jenry Mejia and Wilmer Flores are “untouchable” in any deal, and that the Mets may have actually benefited from Fernando Martinez’s injuries the last few month.
“Teams aren’t asking about him as much”, said the insider. “Omar really doesn’t want to trade him … so many people in this organization remain very high on Fernando, and maybe now he can just be left alone to develop into the hitter we all believe he can be.”
To Molina, Mets Really Can Say Goodbye
In what could be considered a shrewd move, the Mets have apparently told Bengie Molina that the only offer the Mets will present to the veteran catcher s a two-year deal. They’re also prepared to move forward if that offer is rejected.
“We’re not going three years, that’s it,” said a member of the Mets front office. “That’s what I have been told.”
The Mets believe that they can upgrade another position, and move forward with some combination of Omir Santos, Henry Blanco and Joosh Thole.
Topics: Baseball Digest, Baseball Official, bronson arroyo, Conversations, Fernando Martinez, Flores, Free Agent, Insider, Jason Bay, Mejia, Moving Parts, New York Mets, Pitchers And Catchers, Reds, Right Hander, Six Years, Speculation, Target, Wednesday Night, Wilmer
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Thole till July in Triple A or Double A the new Triple A and then bring him up or trade for a catcher later on . Molina greed kills. You need the job more then we need you. We live with Schiender and that was not a big loss. So we are not desperate here.
I would love to know your sources on this information and I hope that all of it is accurate. I haven’t heard or seen this reported on any other media outlet, including Twitter accounts for people like Heyman who have reported literally everything they’ve heard – no matter the validity of the info.
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[...] December 17, 2009 at 2:24 pm According to Mark Healey of Baseball Digest, the Mets are talking with the Cincinnati Reds in hopes of working out a trade. He says, “the [...]
[...] Healey has more about this in his post at Baseball Digest. [...]
[...] the heels of the rumors that the Dodgers are discussing an Aaron Harang trade, Mark Healey of Baseball Digest reports that the Mets are looking to obtain Bronson Arroyo, and not just Arroyo but one or two other Reds [...]
[...] spend more money, but it appears the Mets may be trading for at least one new starter. According to Mark Healey of Baseball Digest, the Mets and Reds have been in talks for Bronson Arroyo and “two other [...]
[...] Mark Healey of Baseball Digest said sources told him the Mets and Reds have been in talks regarding Arroyo, “and possibly [...]
Mark, I think the Mets are bidding against themselves on Bay. What about Marlon Byrd, I think he’d be a great fit.