The Phillies are considering signing Gary Matthews Jr. to a minor league deal, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. The 36-year-old would only cost the major league minimum, as the Angels and Mets are responsible for most of his $12MM salary.
The Angels traded Matthews to the Mets before the 2010 season and he struggled in New York, hitting just .190/.266/.241 in 65 plate appearances, so the Mets released him. The Reds signed him as a free agent and assigned him to Triple-A, where he hit .317/.361/.495 in 108 plate appearances.
Matthews' father is a former Phillies outfielder who is now one of the Phillies' broadcasters.
Not a horrible pickup, given that he’ll be practically free. VERY low risk and could be high reward. Especially in the Philadelphia bandbox.
LOL after watching this bum on the Mets, there is no reward possible.
Couldn’t hurt.
Totally unnecessary.
Just let Brown learn like any other prospect and utilize Francisco.
I seriously doubt the Phillies are considering him for full time. More like minor league depth or 5th outfielder.
Yeah, but the point remains: why give that position to a 36 year old who can’t play when you could be developing a young guy instead?
I agree….especially on the same day the White Sox sign a 25 yr old Milledge to a minor league deal. I don’t think it’s horrible, but I would have liked to see somebody with more upside.
I don’t mind since its a minor league deal, but I’d rather give Mayberry a shot at the major league roster than him.
could be a great pick up. Well depending on if hes on his roids cycle or not
For some reason, GMJ decided to only use roids for one season.
thats because they started accusing him of roids so he had to stop quick
couldn’t hurt, but he wouldn’t spend much time in the majors. Brown, Fransisco and mayberry are all better options in both fielding and hitting than him.
O’Doyle rules.
Hah, this reminds me of a Mets thread a year ago. “Couldn’t hurt.” “Depth”. End result: Released.
End result: didn’t hurt, depth. So what’s the problem?
as long as he doesn’t take away time from Brown the way he took away time from Pagan, then again the Phillies have the Manuel that actually can manage to manage.
Don’t the Mets STILL owe him $1M for NOT playing for them?
You don’t see that as a problem?
Hey, I’m NOT going to wash your car, but can I have some money anyway?
The only difference is the Mets paid $2m of his salary; the Phils will probably be paying a couple hundred K at most.
True dat. And it did hurt. Took away playing time from Angel Pagan of all people.
Wouldn’t be a terrible idea. If Francisco gets the everyday job in right field out of Spring Training, Matthews Jr. would be a solid fourth outfielder. If not, and the Phillies give Brown the every day job, Francisco stays on the bench and Matthews Jr. becomes minor league depth.
$12M to play in AAA… I hate my life.
If I were a GM I’d offer him 5 years/50m, just to be safe.
Wouldn’t hurt to get him on a minor league deal but I highly doubt he will see time if any. If it starts cutting into Browns time then I have a problem.
Sign him AND SIGN MIKE SWEENEY
SIGN SWEENEY!!!!
Agreed, His knowledge alone of the game will help everyone on the field and bench
If he signs with the phillies, who does that save the $400 million or whatever salary for? Just curious if that comes out of the money that the Angels owe him or the Mets.
I would guess the $400 thousand deduction goes to the Mets because they most recently released him
Awful. Guy brings nothing to the table unless you can fill him with HGH again. Why bother? Makes about as much sense as the Dewayne Wise signing of last year.
it is worth signing him just to remind Mets and Angels fans
Not even worth the pen signing the guy. He has NO upside and they’re plenty of other options available. Ben and D.Brown should get the job done and if they don’t you’ll see the phils pick up a Mannyesque type right handed bat at the deadline. If Dye was willing a minor league offer that wouldnt be a bad investment.
This guy had one half decent year and a bunch of crap his entire career.
Great signing. Look forward to him making huge plays in the field and at the dish.