Headlines

  • Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson
  • Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September
  • Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft
  • 2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results
  • Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear
  • Astros Promote Brice Matthews
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jeff Mathis Hopes To Continue Playing In 2021

By Steve Adams | September 18, 2020 at 10:39am CDT

Veteran catcher Jeff Mathis hopes to play in what would be a 17th Major League season next year, tweets T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The 37-year-old Mathis is wrapping up a two-year deal with the Rangers right now, and Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram explored the reasons that Texas might look into bringing Mathis back despite his lack of production at the plate.

Mathis hasn’t hit a lick in Texas, nor was he really expected to. The Rangers signed him to a two-year, $6.25MM deal on the heels of a .207/.274/.297 showing at the plate in two seasons with the Diamondbacks. He’s gone on to put together an even less-palatable .160/.215/.244 output in 297 plate appearances as a Ranger. Mathis was signed entirely for his glove and the experience that he can bestow upon younger catchers and pitchers alike.

He hasn’t matched the defensive and framing numbers he put forth in his D-backs run this time around, but Mathis is still generally regarded as a defensive savant and, as Wilson writes, is the preferred receiver for right-handers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. Wilson adds that Jose Trevino — the likely starter in 2021 with Sam Huff expected to open in Double-A or Triple-A — “loves” Mathis and has learned quite a bit under his tutelage. Manager Chris Woodward called Mathis’ knowledge and mentorship “invaluable.”

The question for the Rangers, of course, is whether they’ll aim a bit higher in looking for catching help this winter. The free-agent market will have defensively sound alternatives who can offer more at the plate than Mathis. Granted, J.T. Realmuto probably isn’t heading to Arlington, but the Rangers could look at quality defenders like Jason Castro or Mike Zunino who offer more ability with the bat.

That said, the Rangers are already leaning toward a youth movement and taking a longer-term focus. That mentality comes with a payroll reduction and lowered expectations in the win column. It’s tougher to entice free agents to sign with a team when the president of baseball operations is on the record having recently called 2022 and beyond “probably the more likely window for us” while plainly acknowledging that the team’s payroll will decrease. Mathis, on the other hand, has already expressed a willingness to discuss a return in a similarly limited role for the 2021 season, Sullivan notes.

There’s no guarantee that Mathis will be back with the Rangers or any other club next season. He hasn’t hit better than .200 in a season since 2017, and his perennially high strikeout rate has spiked to a career-worst 35.8 percent with the Rangers. The lack of offensive value is glaring, even if clubs still love the glove and the intangibles he can bring to a young team. But Mathis sounds like a man who plans to be a baseball lifer one way or another, telling Wilson, “Baseball’s all I know” and expressing interest in one day becoming a coach.

If offers as a player don’t materialize this winter, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rangers or any number of other clubs express interest in bringing Mathis aboard in a coaching or player development capacity. He’s played with the Angels, Blue Jays, Marlins, D-backs and Rangers across nearly two decades in the big leagues, making countless connections along the way that are now scattered throughout an even wider slate of organizations.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Texas Rangers Jeff Mathis

Ubaldo Jimenez Retires
Main
Rangers’ Ricky Vanasco To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
View Comments (30)
Post a Comment

30 Comments

  1. thebaseballfanatic

    5 years ago

    His career is hanging by a thread… we can only hope that MLB front offices watch Foolish Baseball.

    Reply
  2. PapiElf

    5 years ago

    I think the pitchers he bats against are also hoping this.

    3
    Reply
    • keysox

      5 years ago

      Must have a great agent.

      Reply
  3. Big97

    5 years ago

    Out of the Angels top prospects in the 2000s, this guy has outlasted them all.

    2
    Reply
  4. BobGibsonFan

    5 years ago

    I know no one cares… but has anyone noticed how well Jake McGee is doing for the Dodgers? I would have put it in an appropriate thread, but there never seems to be one. Even the chats are non existent any more.
    Oh well, go back to sleep.

    Reply
  5. Zach725

    5 years ago

    I know he won’t take a MiLB deal but I’d love to see him in Gwinnett helping some of the Braves young pitchers.

    Reply
  6. johnrealtime

    5 years ago

    Nearly 3000 plate apperances. A career average under the mendoza line (.195) and an OPS of .553. I don’t point these out to denigrate him but to highlight how good the other aspects of his game must be to accomplish this and to continue to receive playing time. If he wants it, I can’t imagine him not becoming a coach or manager.

    1
    Reply
    • 92jays

      5 years ago

      Your right he would be a good coach

      Reply
    • oldmansteve

      5 years ago

      Does great pitch framing make you a good coach?

      Reply
      • qbert1996

        5 years ago

        Nope but the ability to teach and be well respected by others does

        3
        Reply
        • 92jays

          5 years ago

          Thank you

          Reply
      • johnrealtime

        5 years ago

        Nope but being a good teammate and leader can make you a good manager. You are implying that his sole contribution is pitch framing which is incorrect. If all he could do was pitch frame well he would not have had as long of a career as he has had, with his offensive limitations

        dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2020/09/17/rangers-c…

        Reply
        • oldmansteve

          5 years ago

          Nerd

          1
          Reply
        • johnrealtime

          5 years ago

          *Crying laughing emoji* ya got owned

          Reply
  7. jessaumodesto

    5 years ago

    Don’t we all

    Reply
  8. Rich Hill’s Elbow

    5 years ago

    What a legend.

    Reply
  9. lucas0622

    5 years ago

    Foolish Baseball legend

    Reply
  10. Rangers29

    5 years ago

    He’s a nice commodity, and I know he helps young pitchers, but that is the only reason I put up with his bat. Last year I didn’t hate his hitting, but the only reason for that is because I expected absolutely nothing from him, so one hit was way over expectations lol.

    Watch the video baseball Foolish Baseball made on him if you want to see more about his interesting career.

    Reply
  11. ChiSox_Fan

    5 years ago

    Texas can trade us Lynne for Zach Collins.

    Reply
    • pinstripes17

      5 years ago

      why would texas want collins lmao

      1
      Reply
    • Nick Deeds

      5 years ago

      Throw in Robert and maybe they bite.

      Reply
  12. kscheer

    5 years ago

    Probably doesn’t want to become a coach because of the paycut. Honestly don’t really want him back regardless of his knowledge – Jose Trevino isn’t the long term solution at C so why waste a spot on Mathis to mentor him. As for the pitchers – gibson has been awful and lynn shouldn’t be a ranger in 2021 so that becomes a moot point. For a team that just said they are committed to young players, it doesn’t seem like it fits the vision for him to be back.

    Reply
  13. californiaangels

    5 years ago

    I love seeing a guy hit under 200 and play 17 years lol.

    1
    Reply
  14. jdgoat

    5 years ago

    How many years does he last on the ballot until he’s inducted into the hall of fame?

    1
    Reply
  15. Ducky Buckin Fent

    5 years ago

    I also am hoping to play in 2021.

    He’s kind of the archetype for a backup catcher. Hasn’t been a bad gig for him as he’s made a little over $21 mil in his career.

    Reply
  16. astros_fan_84

    5 years ago

    How much would he really cost? I would think a million maybe. So, price isn’t really the issue. It’s just a case of if the Rangers or any team actually wants his bat in the lineup.

    Reply
  17. dave frost nhlpa

    5 years ago

    Is he hopeful for a retirement tour?

    Reply
  18. jagonza

    5 years ago

    17 years of MLB money , plus the pension for a 0.4 career WAR ! Career average below what he weighs !! He’s my hero.

    Reply
  19. Rsox

    5 years ago

    Mathis would be a good pickup for a team with a young pitching staff. He’s never offered anything offensively but has hung around for a reason

    Reply
  20. mikesnug

    5 years ago

    I don’t know about Mathias but I’d trade Ofor for any bodies bat boy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson

    Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September

    Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft

    2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Astros Promote Brice Matthews

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Recent

    Rays To Play Home Games At Steinbrenner Field Throughout Playoffs

    Trade Deadline Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Guardians Place Paul Sewald On Injured List

    Mets, Yankees Among Teams To Show Recent Interest In David Robertson

    Poll: Who Will Win The 2025 All-Star Game?

    The Opener: All-Star Game, Trade Season, MLBTR Chat

    Trade Deadline Outlook: San Diego Padres

    Jim Clancy Passes Away

    Grant Hartwig Signs With NPB’s Hanshin Tigers

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version