Arturo Lopez DFA’d to make room for Barajas

As I wrote on Sunday, Rod Barajas needed to be on the 40-man roster when he got into camp.  The Mets, though, already had 40 players on that roster.

Today, with tweets from Steve Popper and Brian Costa, we learn that reliever Arturo Lopez has been designated for assignment to give a spot to Barajas.

Lopez, who was never called up to the Mets, was picked off waivers in the middle of last season.

Barajas contract breakdown

Here’s how Rod Barajas’ contract plays out, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts…

• 1 year/$0.5M (2010)
• signed by NY Mets as a free agent 2/21/10
• $0.4M roster bonus for making Opening Day roster
• $1M in performance bonuses

Barajas needs a spot on the 40-man

Yesterday, the Mets signed Rod Barajas to a major-league deal.  That means Barajas must be added to the 40-man roster.

The Mets already have 40 players on the roster, so someone will have to be designated for assignment.

Also yesterday, the Mets were looking to void their waiver claim on Jay Marshall due to a preexisting shoulder issue.  If they are able to quickly get their claim pulled back on Marshall, the Mets might not have to DFA anyone else.

As Eric Simon of Amazin Avenue suggested on Twitter, Arturo Lopez is another candidate to be DFA’d, as he really has no chance to make the team and isn’t very good anyway.  (In 35 minor league games last season: 30 1-3 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.615 WHIP, 13 BB, 19 K.)

Either or, I’m assuming Marshall or Lopez will be DFA’d (likely today) to make room for the Mets newest catcher.

Mets sign Barajas to one-year deal

The New York Mets and catcher Rod Barajas have agreed to a one-year major-league deal, worth $1 million.

Barajas will be added to the 40-man roster, meaning someone is being DFA'd to make room.

Barajas likely joins the team as the favorite to start, with Henry Blanco serving as his backup.

I'm on the road, so more tomorrow. Enjoy figuring out why the Mets have five catchers on the 40-man roster.

Rosenthal: Mets up offer to Barajas

The Mets have upgraded their offer to Rod Barajas to a major-league deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

The Mets and the Texas Rangers are bidding for the free-agent catcher, with the Rangers offer still standing at a minor-league deal.

The Mets, if they sign Barajas to a major-league deal, would have to designate a player for assignment off the 40-man roster.

Heyman: Barajas likely to accept Mets offer

If Rod Barajas does sign, no chance that Josh Thole cracks the opening day roster this year.

Rosenthal: Mets making “a hard push” for Barajas

Update – 10:13 a.m.: Jon Heyman says the Mets have offered a minor-league deal.

Original post: Ken Rosenthal, citing anonymous sources, says the Mets are negotiating a one-year deal with free-agent catcher Rod Barajas.

Barajas, according to Rosenthal, would get the bulk of playing time over Henry Blanco, Omir Santos, Josh Thole and Chris Coste.

Last season with the Blue Jays, Barajas hit .226 / .258 / .403 and posted a .661 OPS.  He hit 19 home runs and drove in 71.

Behind the plate, he threw out 34 percent of the runners who attempted to steal against him.