Mets and Maine talk extension

March 5, 2008 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

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The New York Mets and starting pitcher John Maine have started to talk contract extension. Last season, Maine won 15 games but because of his lack of experience in the majors the Mets were able to just assign him a contract. His contract for this season just $450,000 a raise of only $59,000. I know wow thats a big raise to us, but for a major league pitcher its pretty bad. Maine isn’t holding a grudge thou, he’s just hoping the team talks long-term extension before his first arbitration chance next off-season. “I’m thankful for everything I make in this league,” he told The Post. “It’s still a lot of money, and I’m grateful to the Mets. That’s just the type of person I am. I’m lucky to be doing this for a living.”

Looking at past cases, if Maine wins close to 15 games again this year he’d most likely get around $3 million in a 2009 arbitration hearing, IF it went that far. An argument on Maine’s said would be the contract James Shields in Tampa Bay just got. The two have same time service experience and Shields got 4-years $11.25 that could jump to 7-year $44 million if all incentives are met.

A source close to Maine, recently told the NY Post, that the Mets have started preliminary talks with Maine. Remember, just a few years ago after assigning a contract to David Wright a long-term extension was worked out before arbitration the next season. I can’t see the Mets letting Maine get away especially if he follows up last season. He’d be to valuable as he gives that sketchy (after Johan Santana) rotation some depth. The Mets even went as far to defend their assignment of $450k as pure business decision based on their budget, obviously trying to appeal to Maine as its not person.

After reading this story in the NY Post, I’m surprised to say I’ve got some respect for a New York Mets player. Unlike other big name stars (i.e. Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon), Maine just wrote this off as part of the game and said that he loves playing for New York and that he’s still making a lot of money. A player like that is the kind you just can’t help to root for, so I HOPE Maine has a good season and gets his money, but at the same time I hope the Mets fall flat on their faces again as a team.