The New York Mets and Bengie Molina have been negotiating back-and-forth all winter. Molina wants a three-year deal while the Mets are offering one-year plus an option year.

Molina knows he’s the best available veteran catcher on the market and as long as the Padres, Rangers and Giants need catchers then the negotiation leverage is in his court. (It’s safe to say that the Giants are not one of Molina’s options for this year).

If the Mets do not go with Molina, the New York Post says that one candidate the team  will strongly consider is Josh Thole, 23. Thole hit .321 (17 for 53) in 2009 with the Mets and according to the New York Post, he’s hitting .381 with .470 on-base percentage in the Winter Leagues.

Right now the number one catcher on the depth chart is Omir Santos. Santos, 28, has 107 career Major League games, so the Mets’ confidence may not be too high. If the Mets do not sign Molina, look to see Thole and Santos compete for the starting position in Spring Training with an outside chance that Henry Blanco or Chris Coste having a shot.

Related posts:

1. Bengie Molina Secrets: What is the Met's alternative?
2. Bengie Molina Rumors: Close to signing with Mets
3. Bengie Molina Rumors: Lowered his asking price
4. New York Mets Rumors: Jason Bay and Bengie Molina
5. Mets may be looking at Bengie Molina as starting catcher in 2010