Deals confirmed: NY Mets sign on Ronny Paulino and D. J. Carrasco
The winter meetings are over but the chase to bring on new players from the free agency hasn’t stopped. However there have been huge signings in the past few days that have skimmed the market to the point that only a few named players are left. Major teams
have already tagged the top players and while Cliff Lee is the only top agent in the market left to be claimed, there are reports coming in that the moment isn’t far off.
Nevertheless, the activity will slow down in the coming days and till the spring training period; there will be an opportunity for every team to pick off the remaining free agents in the market.
In another developing story, the New York Mets have confirmed the acquisition of right hand reliever, D. J. Carrasco and catcher Ronny Paulino. The two stars have come to the club for a collective 3.8 million.
The General Manager of the Mets, Sandy Alderson said, "Regardless of cost, we got the catcher that we think fits best for us. The right-handed relief that was available at a reasonable cost, we got the guy we wanted. So we were happy with both of those things.
We didn't settle in either case. We might have to do that down the line, but we didn't do it here."
Carrasco was a big figure in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. He availed an earning runs average of 3.68 in 63 fixture appearances. The relief man has improved his ERA in every season and his strike rate climbed to 65 batters this year.
Paulino, on the other hand, was doing well for the Florida Marlins in the preceding season. He was however banned for consuming illegal drugs. He’s currently serving a 50 match-ban which has another 8 games left on the fold. His batting average peaked at
.259. He was only able to bag 4 homers before being restricted in the league.
Marlins’ manager, Edwin Rodriguez, had this to say in regards to Paulino, "I think the Mets are getting a very good player. Ronny Paulino, he knew even while he was playing that in his situation, he had a chance to be suspended. I think that's what affected
him on the field. ... He knew about it, and it took a lot of energy away from him worrying about the whole situation. But physically and talent – wise, I think he's capable of having a good year."
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