Big-Ticket Signings

It has just been reported that the Mets signed Jason Bay to a four-year deal that guarantees Bay $66 million.  The contract also contains a “readily attainable” fifth year vesting option based on plate appearances, which would bring the total contract to a little over $80 million.

The contract is pending a physical by Bay, but it’s hard to imagine he won’t pass it, given that there have been no rumors or signs of injury in recent memory.

All in all, it’s not a bad deal for the Mets.  Bay is a legitimate offensive weapon, and the Mets aren’t necessarily on the hook for more than four years. Also, a few years ago when the player market was up, Bay likely could have commanded a five-year $90 million deal.

My guess is that Bay will have a strong 2010 season, but then will gradually but steadily decline every season after that.  The Mets are a “win now” team, so I’m sure they are most concerned about what Bay does in 2010 and 2011.  Obviously, the New York teams can better swallow the under-performing late years of long-term player contracts than the other teams.

The Giants have finalized their two-year $12 million deal with Mark DeRosa.  I wish I could say that I was more excited.

If DeRosa is the Giants’ starting 3Bman in 2010 with Pablo Sandoval shifting to 1B, the Giants will probably get more offense out of the two positions than they did in 2009.  However, at age 35 in 2010 and moving into what is generally a pitchers’ park, it remains to be seen if DeRosa has more good season with the bat, let alone two.

DeRosa also had surgery on his left wrist to repair a partially torn tendon sheath in November, which certainly doesn’t inspire confidence.  The Giants are hoping that DeRosa will give them significant right-handed power in 2010, and left wrist problems are probably the worst news you would want to hear about, except for maybe lower back disk problems or a sudden onset of blindness.

I’m sure that everyone else in Giants Land is wondering if GM Brian Sabean has pulled another piker.  Sabean absolutely loves his aging veterans, even though many of these signings (Zito, Rowand, Renteria) have been blowing up in his face of late.

I will reserve judgment until I see what other moves the Giants make between now and the end of Spring Training and what kind of a year DeRosa has in 2010.  However, as I said before, the move does not inspire confidence.