Free-agent catcher Rod Barajas reached agreement Saturday on a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mets, according to a major-league source.
The deal also includes $1 million in easily attainable incentives, the source said.
Both the Mets and Rangers had extended minor-league proposals to Barajas, and the Rangers' initial bid was $1.5 million, according to sources.
The Mets, however, upgraded their bid to a major-league offer on Friday, ensuring that Barajas' money would be guaranteed.
Barajas, 34, figures to emerge as the Mets' starting catcher. The team's other catchers – Henry Blanco, Omir Santos, Chris Coste and Josh Thole – are all either backups or unproven.
The Blue Jays will directly benefit from Barajas signing a major- league deal, receiving a supplemental draft choice between the first and second rounds.
The Jays offered salary arbitration to Barajas, a Type B free agent, and he declined. The team would not have received a pick as compensation if he had signed a minor-league deal.
The Mets, meanwhile, will need to designate a player for assignment to make room for Barajas on their 40-man roster.
Barajas had 19 home runs and 71 RBIs last season in 460 plate appearances with the Jays last season. However, he batted only .226 with a .258 on-base percentage.
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