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…the buzz from Port St. Lucie is that, in addition to signing OF Ben Johnson yesterday, the Mets also signed free-agent OF Brady Clark to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training…
…the team is expected to make an announcement in the next day or so…
Clark, 34, is a right-handed hitter who has played all three outfield positions during his seven-year career.
In 47 games with the Dodgers last season, he hit .224, but hit .306 in 21 games for the Padres.
He hit .308 against left-handed pitchers last season.
From 2003 to 2006, Clark played in roughly 140 games per season for the Brewers, during which he hit .283.
Clark played 10 games for the Mets in 2002.
Great Pick up! Great Insurance!
Said it before, but I am very happy that the Mets are continuing to try to improve their team and restock their minors with MLB ready talent.
Way to go omar!
Very nice little signing. Solid at all three OF positions & hits about .280 against both LHP and RHP. Clark is a good option (better than Pagan) to call up when Alou makes his annual visit to the DL, and he also provides insurance if Church continues to struggle against lefties.
OF depth is also good because Endy is a lot more valuable coming off the bench – and this could help ensure he doesn’t have to play every day for weeks at a time.
Not an earth shattering move, but a good guy to have in the organization.
Yeah, this guy was one that as I recall, we just let go for very little or nothing and did fairly well. Nice to get him back for nothing now, even if it’s a bit late. Still, he could help us. He hits lefties well, so I’m sure he is hungry to make the club to at least platoon with Church, which if Church continues to struggle against lefties, could work out.
I think our bench is pretty much set, so unless he comes out mashing everything is sight, I expect him to be starting in AAA.
However, this move really shores up our outfield with the question mark of Chuch vs. Lefties (which I personally believe he will be fine against) and the inevitable injury(s) that will afflict Alou.
Plus he plays all OF positions. Plus it is a Minor League Deal. Plus it cost the mets nothing but cash (i think & I hope).
A good, solid, practical move.
I like this move Omar. Not sexy but certainly practical.
Not bad at all.
I think this is a great move. I am not quite satisfied with Church full time and ever since the trade I thought the obvious move was to try and get Nady and have the perfect platoon in right. That being said, Brady Clark is a guy that hits .300 against lefties. I hope Willie strays a little from what I have heard him say lately, that is that Church is the full time right fielder. I would much prefer a strict platoon with Church and Brady. I also would like to see a strict platoon with Castro and Schneider. There is no reason for Church and Schneider to EVER both be in the lineup when a lefty starts. Thats 2 pretty much automatic outs against lefties every time up.
I have a feeling the Pirates were asking for an arm and a leg for Nady. Obviously, I’d love to have him back, but for a reasonable price.
Clark is a nice pickup in lieu of Nady.
I love how one year and about 100 at bats against lefties turned Church into an “automatic out.” Look at his career stats against lefties, or any year other then last year. He’s not an automatic out. You have to at least give him a shot before you platoon and him and essentially kill his confidence after telling him he has an everyday job.
Ok, maybe not an automatic out but certainly not a .300 hitter against lefties like Clark is. Church is a lifetime .254 hitter against lefties in 209 AB’s with only 3 homers. That is’nt going to cut it for a power position like right field. Granted, Clark will provide little to no power, but he is certainly a capable hitter for average, especially against lefties. Based on both players history, to say Church would out produce Clark against lefties would be crazy. As for confidence, Church was never named a full time player for the Nats, why should a championship caliber team like the Mets have to name him an everyday OF? He should be happy he is even here. Frankly, I still dont really agree with the Milledge deal.
practical, bring in as many right handed backup outfielders as possible and bring in every relief pitcher possible, we have the $$$….seriously the 25th man spot is not just Vaklentins or Gotays to lose, they have to earn it over guys like Johsnon, Pagan or Clark
and in the pen while I like Sosa & Feliciano and Matt Wise and yes, Duaner…none of them should be guaranteed spots, let them earn it too….why not, nothing bad can happen for having to earn your spot, if feelings get hurt too friggin bad…
Well, I am not sure how fast Clark is anymore, or what kind of D he plays, but if he can hold his own, he might be a better fit than Endy.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Chavez go down again in ST. he was hurt lst year (wasn’t every OF?) with a Hammy, right? Then again in winter ball, but they tried to downplay that.
So, you better be prepared for a recurrance, and Clark could be a huge pick up if that happens.
I would also rather see him playing everyday than pagan if Alou goes down (although to be fair, I have never seen pagan in person, and he could surpirse).
But, key is that it builds up the depth in the minors. Might not be the star of the future, but certainly a viable stop gap/reserve for this year.
I think Pagan and Endy are too much alike. Brady brings a different look to the team. Now, if we could teach him to play a little 1st base he could make the team out of ST.
Very good pick up for Omar.. This guy won several in house awards for batting avg. in Milwaukee a couple seasons back. Out of the three; him, Johnson and Pagan, he is definately the better guy looking at his numbers.. As far as platooning Church, i dont get it. The guy had one off year against lefties and people want to throw in the towel. But yes, when Alou makes his anual trip to the DL its reassuring knowing we have players like Endy and Clark to step up…
I agree about platooning. Church and Schneider both — neither one has huge negative career splits vs lefties. It makes sense to slot Castro against some lefties just as an opportunity to get Schneider his 20-30 games of rest, but I see no reason for a straight platoon. And odds are, the fourth OFer’s going to get plenty of playing time without the benefit of a platoon.
It’s funny, were this move made before the Santana trade, everyone would be saying “so what, dumb move, fire Omar,” etc… I’m glad now that people have calmed down they can see the importance of minor signings.
Seeing Pagan play, I like him the best.
Clark’s had solid offensive numbers over entire seasons as a regular, and Pagan hasn’t proven himself as a ML batter. But I haven’t watched Pagan play much. Is he a ‘plus’ fielder?
Clark might be a guy who has a tough time off the bench — he’s at what should be the prime of his career and he’s been a regular. Sometimes it takes awhile to adjust as a role player.
But on paper Clark looks like the better choice.
Clark and Feliciano both came over for Shawn Estes…amazing that 6 years later they have anything to show for him.
Speaking of Estes, any truth he is running for a House of Representatives seat as a Republican? The GOP treatment of the Rocket was reminiscent of Estes lob behind his back! He’d fit right in.
L. O. L.
1) Great move. Clark will push all the bench players and if willing to go down to AAA will be a great addtion for injury. He may even make the team out of spring training. Depends on a couple of things. Can Easely play SS/3B. Is Valentin healthy. Has Endy recovered. I would not mind at all seeing him stay on the roster in place of Gotay.
2) Why is everyone so bent on platooning Church? He struggled against LH last year. It’s not the norm. Plus he’s not a bad hitter at all. Check out his numbers, a ton of doubles and some pop in the bat. He will be a great #7 hitter for us and should be considered as part of the future of this team, not some 4th OF. He’s cheap, reliable and plays great defense, what’s not to love? Every position can’t be an allstar but remember on an average team he’s a #3/5 hitter not a #7.
And Church has been playing in a pitcher-friendly cavern of a ballpark.
A lefty like Church will easily hit 20 HRs at Shea over a full season.
Maybe, I am happy with the 40+ doubles too. If he is a line drive hitter he will do well in Shea no matter what.
Yeah, 40 doubles are cool, but I’d be willing to bet that at least 5 of them would have been over the RF wall at Shea.
Yes, Church struggled against left handers last year more than other years, but remember, it was really the only year he has had significant AB’s against lefties.
Not to belabor the point, but if you get a chance, look at his hitting chart at MLB.com stats (a great feature of that site).
I would post the link, but this site is not allowing me to post hotlinks.
Anyway, it looks like at least 5 of his doubles at RFK would have been HRs at Shea. And he hit 3 of his 15 HRs at Shea, a park that favors lefties (and righties that can hit to the opposite field).