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Braves To Sign Jeff Mathis To Minor League Deal

By Mark Polishuk | March 30, 2021 at 1:18pm CDT

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.

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Atlanta Braves Transactions Jeff Mathis

Orioles Acquire Adam Plutko, Release Yolmer Sanchez
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COVID Notes: 3/30/21
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39 Comments

  1. Braveslifer

    4 years ago

    Things that make you go, hmmmm

    3
    Reply
  2. PapiElf

    4 years ago

    Probably not the backup catcher the fans were thinking of

    Reply
    • bravesfan

      4 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  3. mlb1225

    4 years ago

    Freddie Freeman better watch out. Jeff Mathis is coming for that NL MVP trophy.

    2
    Reply
    • Mrtwotone

      4 years ago

      Mathis >Freeman

      3
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        4 years ago

        that’s a given

        2
        Reply
        • Mrtwotone

          4 years ago

          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.

          3
          Reply
    • junkmale

      4 years ago

      Mathis with his robust .377 postseason average.

      1
      Reply
  4. wwilson237

    4 years ago

    So he elected to become a free agent because he wouldn’t make the Phillies roster only to sign a minor league deal

    1
    Reply
    • ham77

      4 years ago

      Probably a much clearer path for him to get back to the majors with Atlanta than it would be with Philly.

      1
      Reply
      • SalaryCapMyth

        4 years ago

        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.

        Reply
        • bravesfan

          4 years ago

          That or he was getting cut and the Phillies allowed him to take the high road out …

          Reply
  5. Mrtwotone

    4 years ago

    The legend has arrived.

    1
    Reply
  6. FredMcGriff for the HOF

    4 years ago

    Angels drafted Mathis in 2001(1st round) just ahead of David Wright. Ouch.

    4
    Reply
    • Vizionaire

      4 years ago

      And Mathis has stayed in the game all this time..

      4
      Reply
    • darkstar61

      4 years ago

      Then took Catcher Hank Conger in the 1st round of 2006, before Mathis had even 50 PA in the bigs

      3
      Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      4 years ago

      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.

      3
      Reply
      • When it was a game.

        4 years ago

        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.

        Reply
        • bkbk

          4 years ago

          Say what you want, the dues been the majors for deacdes

          Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      fwiw, he’s been a better player then Wright since 2017

      2
      Reply
      • darkstar61

        4 years ago

        “fwiw, he’s been a better player then Wright since 2017”

        2017-2020
        (-)0.9 bWAR
        (-)0.6 fWAR

        …no, he hasn’t

        Reply
  7. baseballpun

    4 years ago

    Give Atlanta the trophy now.

    1
    Reply
  8. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    Man, the Braves have to be the WS favorites now. Each pitcher in their staff just lost 1 tick off their ERA today.

    Reply
  9. fathead0507

    4 years ago

    He’ll be up real soon to replace Alex Jackson

    Reply
  10. chippahawk

    4 years ago

    Players love playing for snitker so why not sponge..

    Reply
  11. psarg

    4 years ago

    *laughs in Foolish Baseball*

    1
    Reply
    • Mrtwotone

      4 years ago

      Amazing video.

      1
      Reply
      • SalaryCapMyth

        4 years ago

        Laugh at him if you like but that guy has forgotten more information about baseball than you or I will ever know.

        2
        Reply
  12. wkkortas

    4 years ago

    Chances are Johnny Mathis would have been a better signing.

    Reply
  13. Cohn Joppolella

    4 years ago

    Good to stash at AAA to work with young pitchers.

    1
    Reply
  14. brave new world

    4 years ago

    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.?

    Reply
  15. wes_r

    4 years ago

    2700+ AB and 0.4 BWAR. Is that close to the record for most at bats for lowest cumulative productivity?

    Reply
    • darkstar61

      4 years ago

      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

      1
      Reply
  16. Luvdembravos

    4 years ago

    I’d prefer Flowers but so be it.

    Reply
  17. R.D.

    4 years ago

    Gonna end up stealing Brine Snickers job

    1
    Reply
    • Mrtwotone

      4 years ago

      Brine Snickers was my “adult entertainment” name when I needed money for university.

      1
      Reply
  18. MikeJ838

    4 years ago

    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.

    1
    Reply
    • bravesfan

      4 years ago

      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

      Reply
  19. slowcurve

    4 years ago

    The Mathis not hard to figure out on this deal. The more depth the merrier.

    Reply

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