The low-pay, sort-of desperate minor-league deal

Last Friday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN said the Mets, Reds, Blue Jays and Mariners have been “keeping tabs” on free-agent LHP Jeff Francis. Matthew Cerrone: I’ve also heard the Twins, Cubs and at least two or three others teams are interested in Francis as well. In addition to Francis, teams are also looking at Kyle Davies, Zack Duke, Jon Garland, Rich Harden, Livan Hernandez and Brad Penny, among others. Because there are so many available pitchers and so few spots, it reads like teams are pushing low-base salaries (like $1 million) and a minor-league deal with incentives if they make the Opening Day roster. From what I can gather, the Mets are offering the same, while also still looking at middle infielders as well. The thing is, it’s a delicate balance, because (as is the case with these other teams) the Mets will need to find a guy who is good enough to have upside, but questionable and desperate enough to take a low-paying, minor-league deal that (if he doesn’t ...