Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Blog Archive » What’s the Fuss Over Gary Matthews Jr.?

What’s the Fuss Over Gary Matthews Jr.?


By Mike Silva ~ January 22nd, 2010. Filed under: Mike Silva, New York Mets.

Every deal the Mets make these days creates hysteria of epic proportions. Last season the Mets were exposed for the lack of depth they had. Already their starting centerfielder has gone down with an injury this year. The only capable replacement, before today, was Angel Pagan. Their other outfielders, Cory Sullivan and Jeremy Reed, took deals with other teams. Gary Matthews Jr. was acquired for Brian Stokes, a pitcher with a nice arm, but situational who can’t get lefties out, and $2 million dollars. The same total that it probably would take to sign any kind of competent free agent replacement.

By reading the comments on twitter I thought they just acquired Matthews Jr. for Mike Pelfrey, Jenrry Mejia, or Fernando Martinez. I realize that Angel Pagan is the better player, but by all indications the Mets expect Pagan to be the starter, and Matthews Jr. to come off the bench. Once Beltran is healthy I fully expect them to trade or release Matthews since a minor league stint is unlikely. I actually think this is a smart move by Omar Minaya because Matthews has some pop, can steal a base, and can play some defense. Statistically he was bad in 2009 in most counts, but there is a positive history. Sure, there are the steroid allegations in the Mitchell Report, but no one is expecting Matthews to hit 20 homers and start every day. Bottom line is you don’t want to scramble in April for a replacement in the event that Pagan gets hurt.

I doubt the Mets are done. They need two pitchers, right handed first baseman, and maybe another catcher. Gary Matthews is about depth, nothing more. Remember the last trade (Jeff Francoeur) that caused this hysteria? That didn’t turn out so bad – right?

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
Mike Silva
View all posts by Mike Silva
Mikes website

Post to Twitter Post to Yahoo Buzz Post to Delicious Post to Digg Post to Facebook

Tags: , , , ,

«
»

7 Responses to What’s the Fuss Over Gary Matthews Jr.?

  1. GravediggerHebner
    January 22nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    When I look up “beacon of sanity” the definition says: “Mike Silva.”

    Thank you.

  2. Howard Megdal
    January 22nd, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    The issue, Mike, is the Mets again gave up something for nothing. The only common factor between Gary Matthews Jr. and a real center fielder is they are both carbon-based life forms. His defensive prowess makes Luis Castillo look like a Gold Glove 2B.

  3. Mark P
    January 22nd, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    I have to take some issue with a few statements here with all due respect.
    “Matthews has some pop”. So do I, in the fridge, but 4 home runs in 88 at bats is 1 in 22 official at bats. That puts him at about the same average for HR’s as #42 on last years NL HR list. Pop? Please, that’s fizz.
    “Once Beltran is healthy I fully expect them to trade or release Matthews..” at $11.5 million per year?
    I have some baseball cards that used to be in great condition. Yeah, they were in the spokes of my bike but look at the players on them! Make me an offer as apparently quality and price are not a concern to you.
    I suppose the Mets figured that if they didn’t make some sort of a move, people would complain. Moving from the frying pan into the fire is not a good move.

  4. Howard Megdal
    January 22nd, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    Mark, FWIW, the Mets are only on the hook for $2 million, I believe. So if they traded him, they wouldn’t have to deal his contract.

    But in general, the issue is discussed both in my post and this one by Rob Neyer, who is right as usual:

    http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=20601

    http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/2128/mets-pick-up-vital-fifth-outfielder

  5. GravediggerHebner
    January 22nd, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    Mr. Megdal I know you weren’t addressing me but I am going to respond anyway. I read and enjoy your work in many forums and I respect your opinion but on the idea of Brian Stokes as “something of value” I must respectfully disagree with you. What he has in common with a relief pitcher is, to use your phrase, they are both carbon-based life forms.

    What value did this 30 year old Tampa Bay reject with the career 5.02 ERA and 1.621 WHIP, who supposedly has a great fastball yet strikes out only 121 batters in 190 ML innings, with the career K/BB ratio of 1.51/1, have exactly?

    To me the trade is a wash because in my opinion one team exchanged a useless-to-them player from a position of depth for another. Why people have responded to this move with anything other than a yawn and a “pass the comics section, honey” is beyond me.

  6. Howard Megdal
    January 23rd, 2010 at 12:09 am

    Two things:
    1. If both Stokes and Matthews Jr. are not of value, then the trade is still a net loss for the Mets, since they are taking on salary.
    2. The NY Times, alas, doesn’t have comics. Since this is our only newspaper subscription, I am forced to get updated Cathy news secondhand.

  7. Howard Megdal
    January 23rd, 2010 at 12:18 am

    That answer is a bit flip- I agree, the 2010 Mets aren’t doomed with GMJ. However, they have added a player who does not provide useful bat or glove, and will pay $2 million over the next two years for the privilege. That leaves many wondering if the Mets know how to evaluate non-star talent yet again, and it is worrisome, especially with needs still unaddressed at C, 1B, 2B and SP. I also appreciate your kind words about my work.

Leave a Reply