News: Mets sign Mike Jacobs
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Mets have signed free-agent 1B Mike Jacobs to a $900,000 minor-league deal, though he can earn another $1.15 million through incentives.
Heyman says, “He’s got a shot to win that job over Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis.”
Original Post at 1:23 pm:
Today on Baseball Digest Live, Mark Healey wondered if the Mets were signing Jacobs to be a catcher, not just a left-handed power bat for the bench or first baseman.
Jacobs played 309 games at catcher in the minor leagues with the Mets. In his final season with Double-A Binghamton, in 2005, he played 43 games at catcher and 54 games at first base.
He played only first base while with the Marlins and Royals.
… he was a sluggish catcher to begin with, now four years later i can’t think he’s better, but who knows… it’s an interesting idea, and it’s not like the Mets aren’t in need…
Jacobs, 29, hit just .226 with 18 HR; but he hit 32 HR with 92 RBI the season before that.
He is batting .234 with three HR in just 51 at bats as a pinch hitter.
