The Braves have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran catcher Jeff Mathis, David O’Brien of The Athletic reports (via Twitter). Mathis was released by the Phillies from a previous minors deal earlier this week.
It’s an early birthday present for Mathis, who turns 38 years old tomorrow. Should Mathis hit the field with the Braves this season, it will mark his 17th MLB campaign. Mathis has played for five different organizations during his long career, including a year with the Blue Jays in 2012 when current Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos was running the Toronto front office.
O’Brien notes that Mathis is “looking to transition into coaching” as he winds down his playing career, and surely he’ll find some interest after his long and respected career behind the plate. Before he hangs up the cleats, however, Mathis will provide some depth behind Travis d’Arnaud and Alex Jackson, and perhaps provide some mentorship to young backstop William Contreras, one of the Braves’ top prospects.
Never known for his hitting, Mathis has carved out a niche for himself as one of the sport’s best defensive catchers. He is perhaps best known for the seven-year stint with the Angels that began his MLB career, and Mathis most recently played in 110 games with the Rangers over the last two seasons.
Things that make you go, hmmmm
Probably not the backup catcher the fans were thinking of
Nor exactly the one we want … I rather a young guy struggle and have an opportunity with more upside than Mathis. Ex Jackson. I know he likely won’t be great, but he’s definitely has some upside compared to Mathis.
Freddie Freeman better watch out. Jeff Mathis is coming for that NL MVP trophy.
Mathis >Freeman
that’s a given
In all seriousness, probably not a bad player to have at Gwinnett given d’Arnouds previous injury history and the braves unwillingness to trust little Contreras to lead a pitching staff at this stage.
Mathis with his robust .377 postseason average.
So he elected to become a free agent because he wouldn’t make the Phillies roster only to sign a minor league deal
Probably a much clearer path for him to get back to the majors with Atlanta than it would be with Philly.
That’s probably true. The Braves are not very settled on who the back up catcher is right now. Matthis might be able to catch some major league innings if he goes that route. Then there’s also d’Arnauds injury history that could always get him even more innings.
That or he was getting cut and the Phillies allowed him to take the high road out …
The legend has arrived.
Angels drafted Mathis in 2001(1st round) just ahead of David Wright. Ouch.
And Mathis has stayed in the game all this time..
Then took Catcher Hank Conger in the 1st round of 2006, before Mathis had even 50 PA in the bigs
Mike Scioscia loved Mathis.
Absolutely loved him. To the detriment of our offense. Dipoto trading Mathis was what really started the rift between the two, IMO. but Ianetta was such a step up that Mike had to deal with it.
Omg a better player was picked after someone not a good. Has that ever happened before?
Sarcasm aside Mathis has been a steady contributor, from what i have read in the clubhouse. Who knows what he has done to help other players. Glavine and Maddux were both taken in the same second round.
Say what you want, the dues been the majors for deacdes
fwiw, he’s been a better player then Wright since 2017
“fwiw, he’s been a better player then Wright since 2017”
2017-2020
(-)0.9 bWAR
(-)0.6 fWAR
…no, he hasn’t
Give Atlanta the trophy now.
Man, the Braves have to be the WS favorites now. Each pitcher in their staff just lost 1 tick off their ERA today.
He’ll be up real soon to replace Alex Jackson
Players love playing for snitker so why not sponge..
*laughs in Foolish Baseball*
Amazing video.
Laugh at him if you like but that guy has forgotten more information about baseball than you or I will ever know.
Chances are Johnny Mathis would have been a better signing.
Good to stash at AAA to work with young pitchers.
Atlanta is closer to his hometown in the Florida panhandle, so it makes sense. He can go to either AA or AAA & work and be ready if needed & work with Contreras & Langeliars as a mentor then transition to a roving catching instructor next year.?
2700+ AB and 0.4 BWAR. Is that close to the record for most at bats for lowest cumulative productivity?
Surprisingly, no
Neifi Perez is one of the best. 5500 PA with a (-)3.3 fWAR.
And he was popped for PEDs doing that
But bWAR is much more generous and has his Def putting him into slight positive territory
I’d prefer Flowers but so be it.
Gonna end up stealing Brine Snickers job
Brine Snickers was my “adult entertainment” name when I needed money for university.
He was signed to mentor contreras, help out with Jackson, I don’t understand why people don’t understand that every signing is for the fans. Mathis will provide experience for the younger guys, may even help Shea L. I had wished for flowers in that roll, unfortunately that didn’t happen. Let’s hope for the best, mathis is not expected to contribute to the major league roster at all.
We can’t assume this… I’m sure a mentorship is a part of the equation, but I think of Alex Jackson struggles Mathis is first up in that backup role. I personally think this is foolish and Jackson should be allowed to figure it out in a backup role. Mathis offensively is brutal, so I assure Jackson can be at least as bad. As long as Jackson doesn’t fall apart defensively, I see no reason to let Mathis play a day in the pros. UNLESS Travis is injured and the Braves are just hung on not calling Contreras up and let Mathis/Jackson fight for playing time. That’s all I can think of
The Mathis not hard to figure out on this deal. The more depth the merrier.