Phillies Get Reliever Mateo From Seattle
Mateo, who turns 30 on Thursday, figures to replace righty Ryan Madson, who suffered a strained right shoulder Sunday. The Phillies' bullpen recently was bolstered by the returns of right-handers Tom Gordon and Brett Myers from injuries.
While the Phillies can retain Mateo in 2008 by exercising his $1.5 million club option, it is doubtful that this move will be judged only on its baseball merits.
Mateo was charged with third-degree assault in May after police said that he struck and bit his wife in a Manhattan hotel room.
Looks like Myers and Mateo will have something to talk about out in the 'pen. Bullpen, that is.
Can Pat Gillick really only make deals with Toronto, Seattle, and ChiSox? Mateo's rocky personal past aside, he will certainly help out the banged up arms on the Phillies.
They may have obtained him for spare parts:
Wikipedia sez:
"Mateo broke his fourth metacarpal (ring finger) on his left hand while lifting weights, and missed the reminder of the 2006 season."
struck and bit or hit his wife?
Posted by: Artistsatwork | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 04:52 PM
and victirino and bourn are on the 15 day and we get roberson and werth in their place
Posted by: the_major | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:07 PM
victorino
Posted by: the_major | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:08 PM
according to espn (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2956213) Mateo is going to be optioned to AAA Ottawa, why would we make a trade for a player whose contract will expire (unless we pick up an option) at the end of the year and whose going to the minors. I guess the logic is that we'll call him up when the rosters expand in September...but I just don't get this one, is it just a deal for the sake of making a deal?
Posted by: ryan | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:17 PM
I don't get why we traded Jesus Merchan for him if Mateo is just going to sit in Ottawa until roster expansion. Merchan was having a nice season in Reading and continued it in his couple games in AAA. I understand that Mike Costanzo is our "gem" at the hot corner for the future, but Merchan was looking nice too.
Posted by: GreggyD | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Mateo was arrested after beating, biting and choking his wife. She suffered a black eye and needed five stitches on her lip as a result of the bite. And one week before that:
Police were called to Mateo's Dexter Avenue North apartment on the morning of April 28 after a dispatcher reported hearing a heated argument and two hang-up calls to 911. When two officers arrived, they found Mateo's wife, Aurea Mateo, and her sister crying in the hallway near two broken phones. Police said Mateo's wife put her hand on her neck and stuck out her tongue, as if she was being choked.
That's where Aurea Mateo's communication with the police stopped.
Mateo's wife and sister-in-law do not speak English and declined to talk with responding officers about the broken phones. Neither would admit to being hurt or needing medical assistance, according to the police report.
Posted by: T.Lo | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 06:56 PM
If we traded for relievers, what the hell is Geary doing in the game? Send him to AAA. Use the new pitchers!
Posted by: Richmond Rick | Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Merchan wasn't just having a nice season, he was having a great season at Reading (second in the Eastern League with a .330 avg), and started off hot at Ottawa (3G, 5-13 with a triple and a homer). He plays second, third, and short, and is an exciting player to watch (I live in Reading).
I'm upset by this move. Mateo better be a productive Phillie for at least a few years for me to feel good about giving up Merchan. The only consolation is that Merchan is getting up there in age (26), and maybe he won't fully develop until he's in his late-twenties, early-thirties anyway. God, this deal smacks of Ed Wade.
Posted by: Steagles | Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 01:40 AM
I'm just wondering why a 26 year old was still in Double-A if he was hitting so well. What don't we know?
Posted by: Matt P | Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Ask Chris Coste
Posted by: gootman | Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 09:20 AM
I don't care how good or bad this guy is, after the Myers fiasco last year why would you even entertain the idea of trading for a guy whose wife has a restraining order against him?
This guy sounds like a bad guy and this makes the Phillies look like a bad team for taking him on.
Posted by: Matt | Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Not really sure what wife-beating has to do with throwing a baseball, unless of course you hurt your hand while beating said wife.
Myers and Mateo seem like guys who are able to handle stressful situations with poise and determination. If you compare relief pitching to a mouthy broad then we appear to be in good shape.
Posted by: Walklett | Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 11:08 AM