Fr
ank Catalanotto has signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. The 35 year old was somewhat productive last season after signing a minor league deal with Milwaukee finishing with a .278/.346/.382 line with one home run and nine RBI while wrestling playing time away from Corey Hart.
With the Mets he’d figure to be used primarily as a pinch hitter and may see some playing time at first or the corner outfield positions. A left handed swinger he’s got a .819 career OPS against right handed pitchers.
Despite Catalanotto’s short comings it’s quite surprising he couldn’t get a guaranteed contract entering this year, then again I suppose I said the same following his release at the end of spring training last year.
While the Mets had still occasionally been linked to Carlos Delgado this likely closes the door on that as the Mets likely would be better off with Catalanotto occasionally appearing in the lineup opposed toe Delgado who apparently cannot field grounders without hobbling
.
Poor Gary Matthews Jr. cried his way off the Angels to become possibly obsolete because of Frank Cat. If only he had never signed that 5 year $50 million contract that brought with it a tremendous sense of self-worth he would never be in this predicament.
Neither will exactly blow anyone away but I gotta agree. Catalanotto is the better player, Matthews isn’t even much of an option in center field these days