Phillies Add Local Backstop Brian Schneider as First 2010 Addition

While backup catcher is certainly not the most exciting of positions to fill during the offseason, there is excitement in knowing the 2010 Phillies team is beginning to take shape. According to the Allentown Morning Call, the Phillies have signed local boy Brian Schneider and his family full of Phillies fans is psyched.

“It’s neat because we all grew up Philllies fans and we were fans wherever he went, but for him to come back home, everybody is overjoyed. His dad (Mike’s brother Pete Schneider) called and said he on his way over to the stadium now.”

Schneider played an injury-plagued season with the Mets last year and is known for his solid defense but brings a career .251 batting average to Philly with him. His deal with the Phillies is reportedly for a 2-year contract.

In related news, Chris Coste signed with the Mets yesterday and said he'd be a "Phillie for life." Wonder how that'll go over in the Mets locker room? As far as potential backup catchers goes, I'd say the Phillies got the better of their Eastern rival this time around.

A solid first step in Ruben Amaro's offseason plan. Who would you like to see next?

Also of note regarding Schneider, he pronounces "Toyota" kinda funny.

>>Northampton grad Schneider to be a Phillie [Morning Call]

Comments

[Poster Nutbag]

why is BriSchni following me? when i lived in DC, he was a nat. when i lived in new york, he was a met. now that i live in philly, he is a phillie.

[ryan]

back problems are a little concerning but i heard he has a hot wife!

[ron]

We still need to a third baseman, a bat or two off the bench, one of those with a glove, some relief help, and a starter.

I like DeRosa, as a Dobbs type off the bench, and would prefer Pedro at third actually. Marco Scutaro would also be a great addition. We should resign Chan Ho and Eyre, if he's willing. Fernando Rodney's name has been out there. With a healthy Romero, Lidge, Madson and Rodney at the back end of the pen, we'd be OK with Park, Condrey, and Durbin in the middle innings. I'd love to see us take a stab at Halladay, if not I hope Drabek is ready.

The Eagles are boring me, SSDY, the Sixers are terrible, bring on AI, and I don't like hockey, so C'mon Hot Stove! I want us to make a splash, but one that makes sense.

[TID]

Tawota.

[Matt P.]

Jim Zapala wants to see him in a Kia(m)

[Paul]

That's Caarraaaazzzyyy!

[chewy]

Coste is going to triple a. mets also signed blanco as the back up catcher.

all in all a solid signing. nothing flashy, but it should get the job done.

[Andy]

Don't forget Juan Castro. Schneider is Amaro's second step.

[Pete D]

Hopefully his late inning hits for the Nats in games the Phillies should have won will turn into late inning hits for the Phillies in games they WILL win. If that makes sense.

But this is less than stimulating. Fix 3B, please.

[BFT]

This is a solid pickup. Good defense, good clubhouse guy, and he has knowledge of the Mets staff that might help us take those wankers yard on the regular.

[dc]

"We feel Brian is ideal for our ballclub," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Next paragraph

The 33-year-old Schneider hit .218 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 59 games last season.

Uhh...

[TID]

Chapman sells Chevy's at the Auto mall.

[Mike P]

@dc He was hurt.

I don't know, I hate to say it, but I think I'd rather have Coste. A combination of Schneider's recent injury history and the fact that he's never really had a great bat push me toward Coste as a better option. But whattya gonna do?

I'd love to see them make a run at Halladay, too, though I know they won't. How much better would you feel with Lee/Halladay/Hamels/Blanton/Happ (or anybody else, if Happ gets traded) than Lee/Hamels/Blanton/Happ/??????. The first rotation makes the Phils a WS favorite, the second makes the regular season interesting.

[Mike]

If you can't make a deal with me, you can't make a deal with ANYBODY