Giants sign Matheny

[JTWood]

Agree with the above. San Fran fans don't know that they're getting a better catcher than they think they are, but that contract is borderline ridiculous. I was hoping he'd stay in St. Louis for 2 years, $4 mil.

Gonna miss you, Matheny.

[shortsavage]

Although Torrealba was limited to less than 200 at bats last season and he probably did not have enough time to get into a rhythm, he hit a mere .227. Like Pedro Feliz, Yorvit Torrealba has turned into another Giant that seems to have the tools, but for whatever reason the organization has trouble giving them a chance. After seeing another year of Feliz, I understand why the Giants were hesitant to hand him a full-time job.

Matheny is proven and he hit .247 in 2004. Maybe it will be better to have a catcher that makes less contact than A.J. Anything for fewer double plays.

Pierzynski commanded 3.5 million in arbitration last season, and would have probably gotten closer to 3.75 million for 2005 (rough guess, I am not too familiar with arbitration cases).

At least San Francisco has not signed a less than exciting outfielder in their mid-thirties yet.

[SaintsOfTheDiamond]

I agree with the rest of the Red Bird fans on this one. They overpaid for him, but you're getting a much much better C than the raw numbers indicate. The guy is amazing behind the plate and he can make the pitching staff much much better. I just hope Molina was paying attention these last few years while Matheny was still here.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

ok - so who has the notebook on Yadier Molina?

What can we expect out of him?

[trevisc]

this definitely opens the door for him to be the starter. I think he makes good contact but doesn't have a lot of power. I can see him hitting close to .280-.290

[j_d_mcnugent]

ok - so who has the notebook on Yadier Molina?

What can we expect out of him?

yadi is supposedly the best of the catching molina brothers. he hit .267 in limited time in the majors last year. although primarily noted for his defense, he did manage to bat .300 in AAA last year. he has pretty limited power so he doesnt figure to have any significant fantasy impact in 2005. he could hit anywhere from .265 to .280 next year.

[SaintsOfTheDiamond]

I may be wrong on this, but I think of Molina pretty much like a younger Matheny with maybe slightly inferior defensive ability and perhaps slightly better offense. So that would make him about as viable for fantasy as Matheny. Of course he is a lot younger and could develop into a better hitter, but for '05 I wouldn't think he'd be on many fantasy rosters unless they're deep or NL only.

[Area51's]

loving this as a dodgers fan because:
A. I think its a poor move for S.F.
B. Hope to see A.J. in dodger blue....would be great to play the giants with sour ex's Kent and A.J. on the squad......at least I think so.....until Kent and some other good dodger offensive player that I'm sure we'll pick up get in a fight!

[jrad32]

I don't love Matheny, but I'm still waiting for the Giants to sign some kind of bat. I mean you guys have Bonds for the love of God get someone else that can hit to go with him. Grissom and Alfonzo are not gonna cut it. It is fricking sad that they can't sign a bat.

Pry open the checkbook for Christ sake.

[StlSluggers]

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mike Matheny and the Giants have agreed to terms on a three-year, $9 million contract.

KMOX reported this morning that Matheny's contract was actually $10.5 mil, "much more than the Cardinals offered him."

For whatever that's worth to anyone...