Figueroa, Wilson, Johnson

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The Mets have signed RH RP Nelson Figueroa to a minor league deal/ST invite, as required of all native New Yorkers in search of a job. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2004.

They re-signed Ben Johnson to a minor league deal.

They are apparently considering Craig "Goldilocks" Wilson, which I think is a fine idea despite some considerable suckage the last 2 years. He's a RH-hitting first baseman/OF with some pOp.

[metsmarathon]

i like a craig wilson signing. good idea if only for the bench.

defensively, he's not good, but he has some potential to regain his stroke, i guess.

[Fman99]

metsmarathon wrote: i like a craig wilson signing. good idea if only for the bench. defensively, he's not good, but he has some potential to regain his stroke, i guess.

Assuming he can extricate himself from his own suckitude, I like this signing for three reasons. He's a righty, who can backup at 1B and the corner OF spots, who you could use as a late inning guy to try and take the ball deep.

I wonder though if this signing could potentially take away Ruben Gotay's roster spot as the last bat off the bench.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Unless the Goat arrives prepared to play 5 positions I'd say his chances of making the club are pretty slim.

[Guest AG/DC]

Wilson may be just the protection against lefties that Poolers have been clamoring for since Church arrived.

Keep in mind, (1) he's only stunk for a season and a third, (2) that's precisely coincided with him becoming a Yankee (we merely have to de-Yankify him), and (3) he's friends with Cooby.

Gotay is a luxury right now with Easley and Anderson already on the bench and Valentin rehabbing.

[Vic Sage]

Do either Easley or Anderson play shortstop? Gotay does.

Right now, Easley is our only RHed OF bat off the bench. If Wilson shows something in ST, i think that's the job he takes.

[Guest AG/DC]

Easley was once a very good shortstop. Valentin was once an excellent one. And it wasn't very long ago --- though, for Valentin, it was a few injuries ago.

Gotay was more of a shortstop by default in his few brief appearances there, as the Mets weren't really carrying a backup for Reyes, and were throwing him out there every day.

[Guest AG/DC]

Craigy Wilson signs with the Reds, and the dream dies a little.

[nymr83]

I can't imagine that Gotay is as good a SS as Easley. He's also not as valuable a hitter off the bench right now. Given their ages though I wouldn't want to lose Gotay from the organization so if he is out of options he has to stick around (I don't know over who.)

[smg58]

Right now Gotay's the twenty-fifth man, but he's a reserve second baseman with essentially a lefty bat off the bench. So's Marlon Anderson, and we also have Valentin with a minor-league deal. I like Gotay, but I think if we don't trade him now he's a waiver claim waiting to happen. Perhaps if the O's move Brian Roberts they might give us Chad Bradford for him. But I'd still like a righty outfield bat, and who's out there besides (gulp) Sosa? Bobby Kielty, Victor Diaz, and Craig Wilson all got minor-league deals we could have topped if we'd wanted to.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think the Mets think Easley is their guy.

[Guest AG/DC]

Maybe, but Gotay is still the 25th man, despite his lack of versatility.

He's the sixth infielder and Anderson is the fifth outfielder. They still have the option of getting an outfield bat and making Anderson the sixth infielder.

[metirish]

Tony Armas Jr is looking for a # after signing a minor league deal Monday with Los Mets.

[smg58]

metirish wrote: Tony Armas Jr is looking for a # after signing a minor league deal Monday with Los Mets.

With luck, we won't need him. But I guess somebody has to pitch in AAA this year.