Jenrry Mejia redo?

[Guest 41Forever]

On MetsBlog:

Former Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia, who is suspended from the MLB for life after violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy three times, is expected to apply for reinstatement, according to Matt Ehalt of NorthJersey.com Mejia's ban was given to him on February 12, 2016. If his appeal is successful and he is reinstated, he'd be eligible to play again on February 12, 2018. Recently, the Mets and Mejia agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.7 million, though he will not receive the money unless he applies for and receives reinstatement. The Mets and Mejia went through the same formality prior to last season, when he received a one-year deal worth $1.97 million. Mejia remains on the Mets' roster on the restricted list.

I have no idea what MLB's appetite is for reinstating people with lifetime bans. Nor do I know if the Mets even have any interest in him, or how long it would take for him to get into playing shape. Would have to be a long climb back, I suspect.

[Edgy MD]

Well, Pete Rose's situation must give us some idea of the appetite. The White Sox Eight also, for that matter.

Mejia has changed his tune and copped to the charges, which I imagine he did because his advisors saw it as a prerequisite to any reinstatement.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Whether or not MLB reinstates Mejia, I don't want to see him on the Mets. That dumb ass should spend the rest of his playing days pitching in Mexico or some other foreign locale as far as I am concerned.

[Edgy MD]

Well, he has been pitching in foreign locales, in the Dominican and Venezuelan Winter Leagues.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Well, I wish him the best of luck pitching in the tropical climes of the various Caribbean or South American professional Leagues. I just don't want him representing the Mets in the future.

[smg58]

He's actually under contract for over a million dollars this year. I thought that was a joke, but it won't be if he's reinstated. He is singularly unworthy of a major-league deal at this point.

[Ceetar]

If I had to guess, they agree to reinstate him in 2019 after a year of submitting to drug tests or something.

I'd love to hear more details around his original testing because the timing felt like it could've been double-charging him for the same offense, but I'm sure we won't.

Not like the Mets couldn't use another talented reliever on the depth chart for basically junk change.

[G-Fafif]

Lifetime ban rescinded. Mejia conditionally reinstated. Everybody issues conditional statements.

Welcome back, Jenrry?

[Lefty Specialist]

They were the only team to take a flyer on Jose Reyes when no one else would touch him. They'll probably see if Mejia has anything left if he's allowed to attend spring training. I'm guessing he won't be able to shake off the rust and will be released.

[RealityChuck]

smg58 wrote: He's actually under contract for over a million dollars this year. I thought that was a joke, but it won't be if he's reinstated. He is singularly unworthy of a major-league deal at this point.

Mejia signed a one-year contract this year. He is not eligible for free agency, so he'd have to be re-signed, and will go into arbitration this winter, probably taking the maximum cut possible. If the team doesn't just release him, of course.

[smg58]

I couldn't justify a major-league deal with him, to be sure.

[MFS62]

smg58 wrote: I couldn't justify a major-league deal with him, to be sure.

I can.
They'll have a half season of rehab and minor league games to judge if one (a deal) is warranted. He's on a one year contract (during which he wasn't paid). If they want to keep him they will:
1) probably offer him a contact with the maximum allowable (CBA) pay cut.
2) definitely keep him on a very short leash that is so tight it will squeak when he walks.

The commissioner said he showed remorse and contrition during personal interviews during his appeal for reinstatement. If he stays clean, we can continue to condemn the sin and forgive the sinner.

Later

[seawolf17]

I can't imagine him having enough left to get major league hitters out. He's thrown 13 1/3 innings in the past two years. But I guess we'll see.

[Edgy MD]

The lack of mileage could be a plus. Though he has thrown 52 1/3 innings in the Dominican and Venezuelan Winter Leagues over the last few winters.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I'd take him back in a second if he can show he's got got the talent to pitch in the Majors. He's paid his dues -- for doing something that in my heart, I'm certain that major leaguers continue to do and get away with. And what Mejia did pales in comparison to what Jose Reyes did.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Has he been accruing service time during his suspension? I would think not, but who knows?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Why the hell not? Out of concern he would sully the dignity of this distinguished campaign?

[Ceetar]

Unless he shows he has nothing this season in rehab, where he's basically working for free, you have a shot of acquiring a top-flight reliever for an arb contract? sold.