Ramblings

• Angels GM Tony Reagins told the media that there are "some interesting and exciting things have surfaced" with new teams. Hopefully the Angels can go out and acquire a number 4 hitter to bat between Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter.
• The Blue Jays have met with Paul Lo Duca's agent, but have a mere $2.5M to spend on a catcher who made $6.5M last year playing everyday with the New York Mets.
• Info on Jake Peavy's extension: Peavy is set to make $15M in 2010, $16M in 2011, $17M in 2012, and a $22M option for 2013.
• Seems like a swap of Erik Bedard to L.A. for Matt Kemp and Jonathan Broxton is getting close.
  

Mets Close To Signing Torrealba

"Numerous reports believe that the New York Mets are set to offer catcher Yorvit Torrealba a 3-year deal worth approximately $15M. Torrealba, who went to the World Series with the Colorado Rockies last year, hit a mere .255 last season with 8 HR and 47 RBI. His World Series appearance has got to be earning him quite a bit of cash, because it looks to the naked eye that the Mets are attempting to pay a back-up catcher $5M per year.

The Mets’ catcher last year, Paul Lo Duca, had a much better season than Torrealba, hitting .272 with 9 HR and 54 RBI. The Mets as a whole must not like Paul’s defensive side and age.

Analysis: Seems like the Mets are just attempting to try something new, as they’re overpaying for a catcher that is downgrading on the offensive side from what they had last year. Or maybe Omar Minaya is betting that Yorvit’s defense and ability to call games will help both the pitching staff and defense of the Mets. Either way, $5M is quite a bit to pay for a sub-par catcher.

Torrealba has told the media that he plans to allow the Rockies to match any offer he receives, but I doubt Colorado would want to match the 3/$15M deal the Mets are quoted to be putting up." (MVN.com)

Posada/Yankees Agree To 4-Year Extension

"Yankees general-manager Brian Cashman tricked us all and signed catcher Jorge Posada to a 4-year deal worth $52M. After telling reporters that Jorge wouldn’t be resigned before the deadline, he did just that. The deal occurred slightly longer than an hour before the deadline approached, and i’m sure Met’s GM Omar Minaya is furious at this moment.

Minaya was even seen taking Posada and his family out to dinner, just to make sure that he would indeed wait until after the deadline to talk numbers with the Mets. The Mets will most likely just re-sign Paul Lo Duca now, as there really isn’t too much better out in the market. Yorvit Torrealba would be a decent choice, but he’s told Colorado that he will allow them to match any offer he receives.

Analysis: Sure the Yankees overpayed for Posada, but it was a matter of having too. Jorge had a tremendous 2007, batting at an absurd .338 mark. He also hit 20 home-runs and drove in 90. Amazing numbers when you realize that he also does a pretty good job fielding at the catcher position.

It was a done deal once the Yankees agreed to make the deal 4-years instead of keeping it at 3, which they originally offered. Good move on Cashman, as the Yankees already have too many personnel moves to lose yet another face in Posada." (MVN.com)