Mets sign Takahashi, Jacobs

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Mets agreed Thursday to minor league contracts with first baseman Mike Jacobs and left-hander Hisanori Takahashi after missing out on several free agents with higher profiles.

Jacobs, who began his major league career with the Mets in 2005, would get a $900,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and could earn up to $2.05 million.

Takahashi, a veteran of 10 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League, would get a $1 million, one-year deal if put on the major league roster.

New York also agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Shawn Riggans.

The 29-year-old Jacobs, who could compete with Daniel Murphy for playing time, hit 11 homers in 100 at-bats as a rookie with the Mets in 2005, then was traded to Florida after the season in the deal that brought Carlos Delgado to New York. Jacobs hit 69 homers in three seasons with the Marlins, including 32 in 2008, then was traded to Kansas City. He slumped to a .228 average with 19 homers and 61 RBIs last year and was put on waivers in December.

Jacobs could earn $1.15 million in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, and 325 plate appearances; $100,000 apiece for 350, 375, 400, 425, 450 and 475; and $250,000 for 500.

Takahashi, who turns 35 on April 2, became a free agent in November after going 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA and helped the Giants win the Japan Series. He was 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 2007.

Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract with the Mets in December after pitching for the Central League's Yakult Swallows.

The 29-year-old Riggans appeared in just seven games in the majors for Tampa Bay and 26 in the minors last season because of right shoulder tendinitis.