Sarge Jr. DFAd.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Mets Designate Gary Matthews Jr. For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 4 at 2:49pm CST]

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.

 

Ill be a bit surprised if he ever plays a big league game. The guys been bad for a while now. Im just glad that we have 26 outfielders so the temptations not there for Hendry.

[cheapseats]

 

Ill be a bit surprised if he ever plays a big league game. The guys been bad for a while now. Im just glad that we have 26 outfielders so the temptations not there for Hendry.

 

Hendry will sign him anyway and he'll be converted into a middle infielder.

[daske17]

 

Ill be a bit surprised if he ever plays a big league game. The guys been bad for a while now. Im just glad that we have 26 outfielders so the temptations not there for Hendry.

 

Hendry will sign him anyway and he'll be converted into a middle infielder.

 

Or a middle reliever.

[Bull]

Any chance the angels pick him up, since they're paying him anyway?

[Magnetic Curses]

so much money for one catch.

[bannor10]

was he a roids guys? I thought at one time I read he was suspected...

[jersey cubs fan]

was he a roids guys? I thought at one time I read he was suspected...

He was busted while in Anaheim. I think he purchased HGH or was on some doctor's list.

[Keener98]

Looks like hes going to sign on with the Reds.

[Wheelimus]

Looks like hes going to sign on with the Reds.

 

A guy whose OBP will be lower than most players batting average? I'm sure Dusty is thrilled. He probably plays the game "the right way." Ha.

[dew1679666265]

Gary Matthews is available once again as he opted out of his minor league deal with the Reds.

[OleMissCub]

In one of those Sports Illustrated player polls they asked MLB players: "who is the most overrated player" and he was like 4th on there.