The Mets have signed Frank Catalanotto, according to Mark Carig of the Star Ledger.
…I think this is a solid pickup for the Mets, as he provides outfield depth as well as leadership and know-how to the clubhouse…
In a post to Twitter, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the 35 year old Catalanotto signed a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
In 77 games with the Brewers in 2009, Catalanotto hit .278 with one home run and nine RBI, with a .346 OBP in 144 at bats.
whoooopyy DOOO
It better be a minor league deal just like with Fogg, otherwise I don’t know…
catala-NOT-O
Finally, a signing I can get behind. Adds a solid left-handed bat off the bench, and a good clubhouse presence.
Pagan, Beltran, GM Jr. AND Catalanotto? I mean I understand that this guys approach on hitting is highly regarded, BUT SERIOUSLY HOW MANY OUTFIELDERS DO WE NEED? Pitching Omar, PITCHING…
Is Omar really that worried about outfield depth? I’m just waiting for the press release, “Well Carlos had a step back today, we anticipate his return in late July.”
Considering the injury history of th first 3 you named, outfield depth is not a far stretch…
Yea… and two of them we just signed in the past month… makes sense. If we’re really that worried about depth shouldn’t we have signed someone reliable? Just saying Omar is playing the lottery this off season, there better be a demand of OF by mid season otherwise we’re going to have an interesting bench.
Man oh man you’re so damned negative… Who’s this more reliable player that’s willing to hang in the minors until needed? Come on man stop whining…these are little moves that every team needs to make every offseason. It’s called depth…I can’t believe for the second straight day this needs to be explained to you…
A good signing – great clubhouse presence and can still hit. Very good addition.
Yes, 5 Ofs is extreme. And the cost of Catalanotto certainly must preclude pitching.
Hello? Anybody home?
Or, a good opportunity to have a veteran presence in Buffalo to help with the development of F-Mart, Davis, Evans and others…..
Don’t they have coaches in Buffalo?
I think they call this chemistry, mentoring, etc.Or, just having someone ready when the injuries hit other than Gerald Williams.
Our team did not look that good in 2006
Our 2010 team is more talented, we just need a lot of the “if”s to be Truths
True – I mean think of the starting rotation: Pedro, Glavine, El Duque, Maine/Ollie, Trachsel.
On the other hand, not to take anything away from the 06 team, but the rest of the NL East wasn’t as good as it now either.
I like it, I need a paison on the team. Seriously though for the small role he is intended for I do like the signing. Plus he’s played on team Italy with player/coach Mike Piazza.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060330&content_id=1373301&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym
2006 seems like 10 years ago..oh the good times where we were dominating the NL.
Hey, if you recall, in 2007 AND 2008 we dominated the division until the end of the year.
Oh and then we were leading the division last year until EVERYBODY went down
That was before the Phillies kicked it into gear as well. That part always seems to get left out.
The strangest part to me is that the Phillies always seem to be able to kick it into gear when the Mets can’t put it together. Strange coincidence? I think not.
Wow, the rotation was far worse.
You know all these damn outfielders is really making me wonder 2 things.
1) Either Bay’s knees ARE BAD
2) They just wanna build a really strong AAA team, to help their top prospects like Davis and F-Mart.
they still had a spot on bench to fill this is likely competetion between evans,carter and catalanotto for the last spot
locks:
blanco
pagan/mathews jr loser
cora
tatis
why?! why do we as met fans ALWAYS have something to complain about?!?! its really really annoying .. its a good minor league signing for depth purposes, and i happen to really like it
why do we always think negative? we bring that negative attitude to citi field and we are already losers before the season starts
so we sign a utility guy… why do you think bays knees or bad? or that beltran isnt going to be back as planned (not said by you but ive read it while scrolling down)
take the signing as it is and realize the mets got a little better today… and thats the first time we can say that in about 4 weeks
Amen
double amen!
TRIPLE AMEN!!!
I’m not complaining..I’m wondering why the Major league roster will have 6 guys who can play the outfield, not including Beltran.
Beltran
Bay
Francoeur
Pagan
Gary Matthews Jr
Tatis
and now Catalanotto. Not to mention Murphy in an emergency.
Catalonato will not be on the major league roster unless there is a serious injury…And I think Tatis is being viewed as a 1B rather than OF at this point
Maybe im overvaluing Catalanotto, but im thinking..He couldnt get a bench spot on some other team, but Church could?
Church is younger and still has good potential, he plays a great right field and has a strong arm. I’m surprised he couldn’t get a starting job…
I’m hoping that once Beltran comes back, Matthews is dumped in favor of Frank the Cat.
Or they just want to have some real depth so that Murphy doesn’t have to play left…
Point, don’t worry. It’s not about Bay. The Mets never would have signed Bay if he had bad knees. I think this move is all about bench strength. I just don’t see Pagan, Gary Matthews, and Catalanatto staying with the team after Beltran is activated.
Exactly. People not seeing that sooner or later Beltran will be back and someone will be gone. I like the signing but he couldnt get a guaranteed bench spot somewhere else?
Well Peter Gammons (who is full of #2) said Boston Dr’s saw something that no other DR in America saw is true. So naturally every pessimestic mets fan will believe what he says, over every dr in the medical community.
Are you in the Hall of Fame? Didn’t think so. You may not like Gammons but its a lot more likely that you are the one full of # 2.
Because a guy is in the hall of fame, as a journalist, he automatically gets a free pass from every questionable statement he makes? That’s ridiculous. And frankly, its even more absurd that you can’t see that the guy is now employed by Red Sox nation and is therefore apt to say anything to defend their moves. In case you are unaware, there are quite a number of BoSox bloggers who were upset when they lost Bay. So Gammons, being an extreme Homer, is helping Theo out.
Pagan, etc can get traded for pitching
not a bad signing… where does this leave matthews now? LOL… i do like this guy however hes a solid ball player and a good clubhouse guy who can play many positions… a much better option then gary matthews
he dont just play the outfield,he can play second base third base and first,,,,,,very good move
The last time he played 3B was 2001. The last time he played 1B was 2007. Sounds like you have him mixed up with somebody else.
Huh? You’re full of misreads tonight, aren’t you? I’ll give you that his 3rd base skills may be quite faded by now, but because the guy hasn’t played a position, at the major league level, in two years it should be assumed that he no longer can play it? That’s just plain absurd.
Right now the opening day roster for position players looks like this:
1B Murphy/Tatis
2B Castillo
SS Reyes
3B Wright
Utility Cora
Utility Hernandez
LF Bay
CF Pagan
RF Franceour
OF Matthews
OF Catalanatto
C Santos
C Blanco
This would allow the Mets to carry 11 pitchers. When Beltran returns one of the outfielders will have to go. Right now the two on the hot seat stand to be Matthews and Catalanatto. Pagan could be there too if he under performs.
I don’t think there’s a need for Hernandez – Cora, Catolanato, and Tatis are plenty for the infield. I’ll bet there will be either 12 pitchers or Evans or Thole added to start the season until Betran is back
Hernandez is better defensively than Cora, and he can play SS and 2B. Cora’s thumb injury is still a question mark. If Castillo breaks down we need Hernandez. We really don’t need a sixth outfielder.
Hernandez has no stick! Catalanotto came up as a 2B and can still play there as well as pick up other guys in the IF, as well as OF. This is a GOOD move!
Please..if Cora’s thumb is still a question mark then so is Francoeur’s, so the outfield depth might be necessary.
I like the move, because it’s just more proof that the Mets haven’t penciled in GMJ to start in CF on Opening Day.
Hernandez sucks.
While I’m at it, here’s how I see the pitching staff shaking out:
Starters
Santana LHP
Pelfrey RHP
Perez LHP
Maine RHP
Nieve* RHP
Misch* LHP
Relief
Green
Escobar
Rodriquez
Igarashi
Parnell
Figueroa
Neise will go to AAA to continue his rehab from surgery last year. We may see him in May or June depending on how the 5th starter platoon works out. Figueroa will be able to start or throw long relief. Kunz could be a mid-season call up.
Jeez when you put it that way, we NEED another starter no matter who it is, even if it’s just for depth.
Sign Smoltz, or trade for Arroyo/Meche
why isnt feliciano making the team this year?
Oops. How did I forget Felciano? Feliciano may push out Esobar (if he’s not healthy). Of course, the Mets may trim a position player and go with 12 pitchers.
Niece was lights out before he wad injured last year, and he has been a phenom again in the Venezuelan league this winter. I think the Mets need to seriously keep an eye on that kid.
I’m sorry, I meant Nieve.
…need a stroNger 2 behind Santana – I have to think that they are trying to make a trade … Reds, Royals, Tigers …another team?
Arroyo, Meche, Bannister, nor Harang, in his injury-prone state, are #2′s.
Wow that’s depressing. If Figueroa makes the team and Feliciano doesn’t there is a major problem. If Figueroa makes the team out of spring training there are problems regardless.
Who is hernendez?
Right now the roster is setup like this:
1st: Murphy
2nd: Castillo
SS: Reyes
3rd: Wright
C: Santos
LF: Bay
CF: Pagan
RF: Franceour
Bench:
Tatis
Cora
Blanco
GMJ
Cattolonotto
Rotation is Johan, Perez, Maine, Pelf, Nieve
Bullpen is Krod, Parnell, Igawasha, Escobar, Feliciano, Fogg Green
That is what the 25 man active lineup will most likely be come opening day… I don’t know who will get the boot once Carlos comes back.
Which makes me wonder why the Mets felt the need to resign Cora if they have Hernandez, who is a better defender than Cora. Cora’s bat is marginally better, but not worth $2 million.
people were talking about anderson hernandez… I didn’t think that was possinble…. OMG i was thinking Keith before anderson…. bwahhahahhaha
I really do think some fans just like to complain IT A MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT for a proven player. I’m sure omar is afraid of an 09 repeat because of how bad he got knocked for the lack of depth. Honestly I like his move and I’m on the no more omar bandwagon but I think he is smart in building cheap depth.
Frank is a professional – a professional hitter, a professional in the field, a professional in the clubhouse, and a professional off the field as well. This is the kind of guy you don’t have to worry about busting his but on an infield roller or pop-up, he’s not gonna cadilac a pop-up one handed. I like this acquisition and think this versatile, near 300 hitter will make his presence felt on the Mets. This is NOT another “scrap heap” pick-up that the Mets have been known for lately, but a good solid move! Welcome back to NY, Frank!
Yes this, seems like Omar is trying to get some scrappy players in here.
… a good signing – it adds depth at a few positions – now, let’s get another starting pitcher!
Championship!
Did anyone consider we might be filling up the outfield so we have the depth to move pagan in a trade for a pitcher?
Yeah, actually–the Royals like Pagan. Gil Meche could be available. I tend to think that he’d fill the bill as a #2 starter . . .
hmmmmm, i woke up or this big news? im goin back to bed.
Take a deep breath everyone..these signings are called tryout signings…if they show something in spring training they have a chance of making the big ball club..the chances are slim at best…over 95% of these type of signings end up in the minor leagues…make that 99%….
Personally I really like this move. No he is not the sure 300 hitter he once was but he is a very diciplined bat who can play about 6 different positions. With frenchie in the bottom of the line-0up, this is another guy who does not strike out much that can bused in the bottom of the order, move runners along and teach other ball player how to read a pitcher. It is a minor league contract so actually I think it is almost a coup that we did not have to offer him a spot on the roster. This is really all plus and no minus. Not sure why anyone would bash this move. Also, as I wrote earlier, I would not be surprised if the mets are filling up on depth so that they can afford to move Pagan, or perhaps another player, in a trade to get a pitcher since we were not able to get a sure thing pitcher on the free agent market.
I’ll take Catalanotto over Jeremy Reed any day. Reed spent the whole season on the roster last year. Not a bad signing.
Is he this year’s Julio Franco?
Wait; when did the Mets move to the International League?
We have quite a AAA team now.
Not a bad move but we need pitching. We really should of signed Marquis. Not only is he decent, he is the only pitcher who actually wants to be on the Mets! So instead we let him to go the Nats for virtually nothing.
Guess Omar was too busy with his nose up Molina’s butt.
But hey, we did sign Fogg…yawn.
Actually, you’re wrong. Are you bashing just to bash? Or just assuming? Recent reports stated that both Pineiro and Sheets would have liked to come here. Pineiro was tired of waiting for the Mets to counter the offer, and Sheets would have liked to come here because its a pitcher’s park in the NL.
I don’t care about this move one way or the other.
What does worry me though is why we didn’t sign a pitcher or a catcher. Everyone knew our biggest need was SP, then LF, then C. We’ve fulfilled LF, but not the most important need, SP. And our catching situation is going to be ugly if Santos is our answer.
This is what omar seems to love to do. sign a bunch of bad players and hope one of them surprises us
Yeah, no, Catalanotto is actually a good player. He’s not what he once was but he’s still easily worth bringing in, especially on a minor league deal.
This current starting lineup yells mediocre. Who would have thought that one player could change the complexion of an entire team. Carlos Beltran is an amazing player. This void truly exposes us. See, that’s why Omar should have signed a power bat for first base. Adam Laroche for 1 year would have been great. That wouldn’t have interfered with the plans for Ike Davis, and you could have put Murphy on the bench, avoiding the re-sign of Tatis.
yea beltran killed us.. i know many people may think im crazy for this but i still think we should have traded for agon. like whatever it took. he would have perfect to put in that cleanup spot. and still very young and very cheap.
You can’t do the coulda, woulda, shoulda on a trade of that magnitude. I never expected Omar to able to trade for AGon, I accepted that from the get go. If he was avialable he would be in Boston right now, not on the Mets. Low level trades and free agent signings thats where I feel our team had the control to pull the trigger.
Nobody is bringing up that this allows them to trade Pagan for some pitching. Wasn’t it the Reds who liked Pagan? I heard someone was interested in him 4-5 weeks ago.
Catalanato is not going to allow the Mets to trade Pagan. If anyone was brought in for that, it was GMJ. Cat will be a utility guy, and may not even make the club. He signed a minor league deal with an invite. He may not even make the team, but is a good insurance policy if anyone goes down.
All in all, it’s not a bad move. Still doesn’t address the pitching, which could be very problematic, but Omar doesn’t really seem to care about that.
Nolrog, one thing has nothing to do with other unless the Mets seek depth to make trade.
And as far as Omar, we have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes and what Omar does and doesn’t care about and what options he may be considering. We too often act as is we’re flies on a wall and are privy to every thought and potential action, or what issues and constraints he faces. .
This is great move. What’s not to like? Some of you just complain for the sake of doing so. He’s a solid well respected professional who plays both infield and outfield and provides valued versatility and reliable bat. He’s also a local guy coming home who provides needed depth.
1-pagan
2-reyes
3-wright
4-bay
5-frenchy
6-murphy
7-blanco
8-castillo
Bench:
Tatis
Gmjr
Cora
Santos
Catalanto
Starters:
Best pitcher in baseball- johan santana
Pelfrey
Perez
Maine event
Jon niese or smoltz if they sign him lol
Relief pitchers:
K-rod
Pedro-f
Igwasha
B-Parnell
J-fogg
K-escobar
S-green most likey.but he suck to me he really didn’t do nothing I rather replace him.maybe the mets are thinking this when carlos beltran comes back they going to cut green or how about this thought maybe they going to see how castillo plays and if he don’t do good they release him and carlos takes his spot..that would be interesting=)
im scrolling down and looking at the potential lineups for this year and i realize something… jose reyes is batting leadoff… i am so excited that reyes is back that its like we signed a big time FA .. my only hopes are that johan is healthy.. wright regains his form.. and that joses legs are healthy… i believe in 2010!!!!!!