Phils Sign Brian Schneider
Posted by BMT on December 1st, 2009
The Phillies made what, by all accounts, is a terrific move today by signing veteran catcher, Brian Schneider, to a two-year deal. Schneider has played in the N.L. East for 10 seasons (with Montreal, Washington and the Mets) so his in-house experience should prove valuable. He has a lifetime average of .251 which is the kind of number that the Phillies can feel very comfortable with having behind Carlos Ruiz.
Though Schneider had a sub-par season in 2009 (he only had 194 plate appearances and hit just .218) his experience should prove valuable, especially in the event of an injury that sidelines Ruiz for any extended period. The other thing he brings is a bat off the bench in late inning situations, allowing Manuel to play around with the lineup in the 8th or 9th innings knowing he can substitute at the most crucial defensive position. And at just under $3 million, Schneider’s contract does little to inhibit the Phillies off-season shopping and at such a relatively low number there doesn’t seem to be much of a downside to this move.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Can the Phillies please sign all of the Mets’ free agents? Then the Mets can go out and sign some good players. Schneider was awful the past two years. But then again, you think Pedro Feliz is great.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:07 pm
While I don’t think Pedro Feliz is “great,” I do think you’re a moron.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Brian Schneider sucks. He is terrible. This is ridiculous. We sign Schneider, the Mets sign Chris Coste, who is basically the same player as Schneider except with a little more pop in his bat, and who costs a hell of a lot less. Why didn’t we just get Coste back?
December 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I remember Schneider doing well against the Phillies in a Nationals uniform:
2007
2006
OK, in 2005, not so much: 2005
$3M is a little pricey, but that’s what veterans cost. The question is which veteran are we getting, Chris Coste from 2006, or Rod Barajas from 2007?
December 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Ok, you guys are all right. The Phillies should have signed Joe Mauer or Victor Martinez to back-up Ruiz. Or maybe Roy Campanella or Johnny Bench.
Unlike Coste or Barajas, Schneider has a track record of at least 6 seasons where he’s played at least 100 games. Granted, those games weren’t played for the ’27 Yankees but they were played in the N.L. East which may give Scheider the familiarity with the division that could elevate his value to the team.
Please keep in mind that this signing is for the position of 2nd string catcher. I don’t know why everyone is acting like this role should be filled by a hall of famer. It is what it is, a second-rate role filled by a player with 926 games of MLB experience and a career average in the .250 range. Brian Schneider fits this role pretty well.