The Mets made
a couple signings this evening, according to published reports.
Although I am trying to forget most of 2009, I remember liking the grit of Alex Cora, who played through some painful hand injuries. He will make a worthy addition to Citi Field's "Aged and Anonymous Infield Hall of Fame" along with Jose Valentin, Mike Bordick, Frank Tavarez and many other guys I can't remember.
The Mets also signed 36-year-old catching backup Chris Coste. Here are the details:
Veteran infielder Alex Cora and the Mets agreed to a one-year, $2
million deal on Monday, according to two people familiar with the
negotiations said The Associated Press.
Cora's contract includes a vesting option for a second season with
the Mets, which becomes guaranteed if he has about 80 starts next
season, according to the AP.
Thumb injuries on both hands limited Cora to 82 games -- 56
coming at shortstop -- this past season, when he batted .251 with a
.320 on-base percentage and 18 RBIs.
The left-handed hitter sports a career .246 batting average in
12 seasons in the big leagues. Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, is mostly
a middle infielder, but he has also played sparingly at third base.
Meanwhile, the Mets signed catcher Chris Coste to a contract
that guarantees him a spot on the 40-man roster, The Forum of
Fargo-Moorhead (N.D.) reported on Monday.
Coste, a Fargo native, told the newspaper that the contract guarantees
that he'll be on the 40-man roster but that he's not guaranteed a spot
on the Opening Day 25-man roster.
The 36-year-old hit .224 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 88
games with the Phillies and Astros last year. In four Major League
seasons, Coste is a .272 hitter with 23 home runs and 108 RBIs in 299
games.
With Dec 4th only a few days away, I dont know if the signings of Cora & "What's His Name" will be enough to get Season Ticket Holders to renew. Maybe its me but I would give this group of ticket holders the MOST time to get their money in, not the least. Maybe Fred needs their money to sign Big Name Players, we shall see.