Gary Matthews is skating on thin ice
By Joe K
After a breakout 2006 season in which he recorded 79 RBIs and a .313 batting average, Gary Matthews Jr. surprised the entire baseball world by signing a 5 year contract worth $50 million with the Angels. What made so many baseball executives scratch their heads was the fact that the Halos signed a player, who had only been a full-time starter for a few seasons, to such a lucrative contract. Called one of the most overpaid players in baseball, Matthews has so far been unable to prove the doubters wrong after two full seasons in Anaheim.
In 2007, Matthews’ first season with the Angels, the switch-hitting outfielder hit just .252, much lower than the .313 average he posted a year earlier. Despite a steep decline in his batting average, Matthews did post some respectable stats in other categories, 72 RBIs, 18 home runs, and 79 runs. While the ’07 campaign was respectable in some respects, the 2008 season was when the wheels really fell off the wagon. His averaged dipped even lower to .242 and he lost his starting job to Juan Rivera mid-way through the season. To make matters worse, lingering knee problems forced him to have surgery after the season.
But this offseason is when Matthews’s tenure with the Angels really took a turn for the worse. In December, the Angels resigned Juan Rivera to a three-year contract worth $12 million, guaranteeing him an everyday starting position. A month later, they also signed free agent outfield Bobby Abreu from the New York Yankees to a one-year deal. The two signings created a logjam in the outfield/DH spot with Rivera, Abreu, Torii Hunter, and Vladimir Guerrero, all expected to play everyday provided they are healthy.
So with the Angels overstocked with quality outfielders, it does not appear as if they have a place for him to play on a regular basis even with his solid performance this spring. And Matthews does not appear to be too happy about the prospect of not playing everyday in 2009.
According to the Angels’ official website, he has already spoken with general manager Tony Reagins and Mike Scioscia about his desire to play on a regular basis.
"“You don’t play forever,” Matthews told the team’s official website. “I’m 34. Guys take such good care of themselves now. I’m 34. It’s not like I’m 24 and have time to sit around and waste years sitting around. That’s not what I’m going to do.”"
Matthews’s comments sound like a “play me or trade me” ultimatum that has been used by a countless number of ballplayers, who want out of their certain predicaments. Generally, those guys do very little to promote the whole concept of team unity in the lockeroom. Players such as Shea Hillenbrand and Jose Guillen have been notorious for their incessant demands about playing time, which ultimately divided the clubhouse.
While it may be a stretch to suggest that Matthews’s desire to play on a regular basis will wreck havoc in the Angels’ clubhouse, it is reasonable to suggest that satisfying Matthews may not be in their best interest. As of right, now the Angels have plenty of outfield depth and losing Matthews would hardly affect them at all. Even if Rivera, Abreu, Hunter, or Guerrero, was injured, Reggie Willits and Chone Figgins are certainly capable replacements. Therefore, is it really worth the trouble to try and keep Matthews happy?
I find that hard to believe, since the Angels have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to outfielders. It would seem to make much more sense for Arte and company to place Matthews on the trade block. There are plenty of suitors out there who would be willing to acquire the 34 year-old outfielder for the right price. Both the Yankees and White Sox have been rumored to be interested in an athletic center fielder, and with New York not afraid spend money, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them willing to take on the remainder of Matthews’s five-year $50 million contract.
So, if the Angels can find a potential suitor willing to pay a substantial portion of his salary, than I see no reason as to why Reagins and Scioscia shouldn’t pull the trigger on a potential deal.