January 6, 2014

Mets Add Teagarden For Catching Depth

We alluded to it this morning that the Mets were in the catching market in an effort to add depth behind oft-injuried rookie Travis d'Arnaud.  This afternoon as it turns out, the team signed Taylor Teagarden to a minor-league deal.  He will get an invitation to spring training, but will likely slot into the starting role with the AAA Las Vegas 51s when all is said in done.

He has appeared in the majors in each of the past six seasons, but has just 518 plate appearances over that time.  He has batted just .206 in his major league career with 20 home runs.  He most recently appeared in 23 games in 2013 with the Baltimore Orioles during which he hit just .167.

This is strictly a depth move, which is fine.  With any luck, we'll never see Teagarden at the major league level.  If it does happen, he won't be the first catcher with an average near the Mendoza Line to grace us with his presence.

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