The Mets designated Gary Matthews Jr. for assignment, according to the team. They also called catcher Omir Santos and infielder Ruben Tejada up and placed Luis Castillo on the 15-day DL in related moves. Matthews earns $11MM this year and $12MM next year, but the Angels are still responsible for all but $500K of his 2010 salary and all but $1MM next season.
Matthews, who came to New York in exchange for Brian Stokes over the winter, was a disappointment for the Mets. He hit .190/.266/.241 in 65 plate appearances and though Matthews' defensive reputation was a factor in the $50MM free agent deal he signed, UZR suggests he hasn't been an above-average defender since 2005.
Carlos Beltran's injury gave Matthews the opportunity to win regular playing time, but Angel Pagan's excellent all-around play means the Mets didn't have to rely on Matthews.
what a surprise
wait isn’t this the met’s best player?
The ONLY reason he got that contract was because of that catch he made to rob Mike Lamb of a home run.
I wouldn’t say Matthews was a disappointment. To say he disappointed would mean that he had expectations placed on him in the first place, and no one in their right mind — even Omar Minaya — could possibly have expected anything out of GMJ.
Just another example of a guy who basically won the lottery by cashing in a fluke contract year.
I thought it was roids.
is this a sign that beltran is coming back sooner than expected? or was GMJ just that much of a pain.
No, I just think he was that much of a waste of a roster spot – and the Mets can’t afford to have two of those right about now.
GOOD….and the next stop on this train is yours Ollie. “Mind the gap!”
Bravo to the Angels for shaving 1.5 million off the sum owed..
Sorry to be a negative nancy here, but why is Omir Santos being brought up? Don’t we have enough catchers? Why is Jesus Feliciano not being called up? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s going to hit .400 in the majors or even continue to hit .400 in the minors. I just think he has an opportunity to be an average to above average backup, which is more than we can say about Gary Matthews Junior.
couldn’t agree more.
I agree. I think Feliciano is one of those guys who is just cursed at never called up no matter how well he performs, kind of like John Lindsey with the Dodgers.
All he’s doing is hitting for an empty average. He doesn’t deserve to be up. His best performances in the past have looked like late model Luis Castillo, only playing an outfield corner.
Because Blanco is injured but not seriously enough to need the DL. Santos is already on the 40 man so he will be up for a couple of days, then down again, and probably Feliciano will come up then.
Jesus Feliciano is a minor league veteran having a fluke batting average year. He turns 31 tomorrow, he’s not hitting for power, and he’s not drawing walks. When the BABIP corrects itself, he’s a pumpkin again.
About ollie, i think if he would accept a trip to the minors maybe come up with some kind of funky motion maybe he would be deceptive enough to be effective in the bigs
Funky motion? Sure, if he wants to give Mr. Met a breather now and then, maybe Ollie’s funky motion dance moves will get the crowd hyped up.
Time for Jesus Feliciano.
He’s not drawing walks or hitting for power. When the flukey average comes down–and it will– he’s not someone you want on the big league roster. Just a minor league veteran having a fluke start in a weak league.
Gary Matthews, Jr. did indeed win the lottery. The Angels overpaid big time, though, any way you look at it. Just look at the contract Marlon Byrd signed. Switch their free agent years and Marlon Byrd would’ve gotten that $50 million and Matthews would be quietly making $15 million, I guarantee it.
Why did they even make this move in the first place?
because they are the mets…
Heyman’s tweet was awesome, saying he’d be remembered for all of his initials: GMJ, HGH, and finally DFA.
Matthews JR. Juiced during his walk year and the Angels took the bait. His father was a gamer but the son made the big money. I hope he can reestablish his career. He is another one of the steroid guys.
Matthews, Jr. is laughing at the Angels every two weeks.
And waking up to the reality that he isn’t a fraction of the player he thinks he is. Now he can sit at home and wait for the Atlantic League to call.
He’s too proud to play in the Atlantic League. Like you said, he thinks he is better than he is right now. My guess is he sits home, period.