Brian Schneider Signed to Backup Chooch

December 2nd, 2009 | by joeb03 |

The Phillies signed ex-Expos/Nationals/Mets catcher Brian Schneider to a two-year, $2.75 million dollar contract. A native of nearby Allentown, PA, Schneider gets to play for the team he grew up rooting for. It should be interesting seeing him in Phillies pinstripes after playing most of his career with other teams in the NL East.

Last year with the Mets, Schneider batted just .218 with three home runs and 24 RBI’s as he battled back and calf injuries. In his 10-year career, the 33-year old has batted .251. With the Phillies having to deal with Chris Coste and Paul Bako as backup catchers for the majority of 2008-09, this signing represents an upgrade. Schneider is regarded as a very strong defender with an ability to hit for some average and with decent gap-to-gap power.

His defensive skills are what made teams use him as a starter for the past six years. Schneider could have accepted a starting job somewhere, but decided to join with his hometown team for a chance at a World Series ring:

“I grew up a fan,” Schneider said. “All my friends and family are still diehard Phillies fans, so it’s good to be on that side again. It’s a good place to be the next two years.”

With Schneider, Ruben Amaro and the Phillies have someone who they can trust to take over for an extended period of time should something happen to starting catcher Carlos Ruiz (injury or slump). As an experienced backstop, Charlie Manuel will have the upmost confidence in his ability to manage a pitching staff. Everyone knew the Phillies needed another catcher, and I believe Amaro found the right guy for the job. He certainly thinks so:

“It’s kind of like a backup quarterback,” Amaro said. “It’s a specialty position. We want to try to give ourselves some depth as this position, and I think we did that with a guy who has been an everyday catcher in the past. He was willing to come to a team with a chance to win.”

Other Needs to Fill

-Bullpen: On Tuesday, the Phillies declined arbitration to relievers Scott Eyre and Chan Ho Park, who were both Type B free agents. They can now sign with any team. Declining Eyre was a no-brainer, because of his health status and public statement that he if he pitches in 2010 it will be for the Phillies. The Phillies have been trying to bring back Park to shore up the bullpen but have yet to make a deal. Not quite sure why they wouldn’t offer him arbitration, as they would have gotten a draft pick if another team signed him. I guess they feared how much money Park would fetch?

Jayson Stark says the Phillies are in on John Smoltz.

-Third Base: Still likely to be one of Placido Polanco, Adrian Beltre, Chone Figgins, or Mark DeRosa. A trade for Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox is a possiblity, but an unlikely one. Stark would like to see the Phils snag DeRosa.