Scott Mathieson heads to Asia with glove, ball

The Phillies' statement began this way: "The Phillies have released right-hander Scott Mathieson to allow him to pursue an opportunity with a professional team in Asia."

Kind of sounds like Ruben Amaro Jr. just rented a plane, dropped him off in the middle of Russia, held out his right hand and said, "Good luck to you, son." In actuality, Asia might be a good place for Mathieson. He certainly had worn out his welcome in North America. Over parts of three seasons with the Phils, Mathieson had appeared in 15 games with a 6.75 ERA that honestly doesn't even do justice to his consistent ineptitude. It didn't help that the 27-year-old underwent three major surgeries on his right elbow, including two Tommy John surgeries.

Elsewhere...

- The Phillies have signed ex-Mets lefty Pat Misch to a minor league contract, according to Jayson Stark's Twitter. The 30-year-old pitched seven innings for New York in 2011, allowing eight runs, 11 hits and four walks. He had a 3.82 ERA for the Mets as recently as 2010 (12 games, six starts). Misch is kind of a poor man's Jamie Moyer, though perhaps he throws a bit harder. He doesn't really project as a loogy candidate - his splits against lefties aren't impressive - so he's more of an organizational-depth guy who could give the Phils a spot start if needed in 2012.

-The Phils also re-signed infielder Kevin Frandsen to a minor league deal, which was also reported by Stark. Frandsen was in the organization last season, when he hit .309/.361/.430 while playing for A, AA and AAA. The 29-year-old also received a 50-game ban last year after testing positive for Ritalin.

-If those transactions don't excite you, perhaps a Vicente Padilla reunion would?

Comments

[NEPP]

Was he flown there on Lao Che Air Freight?

[Jbird]

"in Asia" is amazingly non-specific. Japan? Taiwan? South Korea? . . . .North Korea?

[J. Weitzel]

Let me be the first to say I had nothing to do with Photoshopping out Mathieson's right ear.

[lorecore]

JW: I think we all knew that.

Worst. BL Photshop. Ever

[Meyer]

He had been kidnapped but nobody would pay the ransom.

[Dragon]

I'm told the Jiangsu Hopestars need a righty starter.

[Bake McBride was Here]

"He had been kidnapped but nobody would pay the ransom":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Getty_III

Also, I'm not down with reclaiming Padilla. He seems like a grad-A a_____e and not worth the aggro. Plus, Papel-whatever is already here. Isn't that enough?

[clout]

You can't expect much from these kinds of transactions. Strictly hit or misch.

[Drew]

I did the Photoshop on Mathieson. But Jason taught me everything I know about Photoshop.

[Rauls grandpa]

To quote Silky Johnson, "What can I say about Scott Mathieson that hasn't already said about Afghanistan....?"

[Rauls grandpa]

"Ah yes, Scott Mathieson! The phillies blew it with him to. This was 2011, before he pitched those 12 perfect games for the Upper Mongolia Wildcats."

[Bubba]

If the Phils want pitcher as a reclamation project, Moyer would be my choice over Padilla.

I think the Eagles are the specialists in players with Padilla-type backgrounds.

[MG]

"Kind of sounds like Ruben Amaro Jr. just rented a plane, dropped him off in the middle of Russia, held out his right hand and said, "Good luck to you, son."

Who knew that Almaty had a professional baseball team?

[Willard Preacher]

So, who is next season's "Bullpen Savior?"

I'm shocked we haven't had any posts yet railing about how we should have hung onto Mathieson and just traded him for a big bat.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

We should have hung onto Mathiesson and possibly included him in a package for Matt Kemp.

Seriously, put on your shoes, hit the road, get truckin . . .

[clout]

MG: The Almaty Yaks. You can get replays of their games on one of the obscure foreign channels on Comcast.

I think Ricky Henderson plays for them. Signed after getting cut in Indy league.

[Elephant in the room]

Bring Back Moyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(on a minor leauge deal of course.)

[Bubba]

Elephant in the room -
How about a non Roster Spring Training invitee ??

[Andrew]

I'm okay with either of those. Heavily incentive laden contract to prevent getting screwed with injuries/performance would be ideal. Imagine having BOTH Halladay and Moyer in the clubhouse.

[Reston]

Mathieson signed a 2 million deal with Tokyo (Yomouri) Giants as their closer

[Meyer]

with an incentive if he masters a second pitch.

[gobaystars]

The Giants never really replaced Kroon after 2010. I guess this moves makes sense. If Mark Kroon can close there then why can't Mathieson?

[gobaystars]

Kubo was decent but you gotta have a scary foreigner to nail it down in the 9th, right?

[gobaystars]

I don't know if Padilla is an a88hole or just a head case.

[The hook]

Glad they got rid of this dead log. Looks like Bruce S couldn't help this guy out. That's good so when maddawg is back after taking the arbitration. The back end is gonna be nasty. Bastardo, maddson, and pap. Wow! That cleared the spot for him. I am not going to be shocked if borass tells him to take deal and next year we will get a big contract. Due to the market flooded with them.

[mw]

Uhh, I don't see that scenario playing out, The hook.

[noel stuart]

Congradulation Scott , you are a class act.

[Scotch Man]

Scott Podsednik is back in the system

[Luis]

Love them bum signings RAJ does there is always a pitcher with a potential upside with this guy . Kind of feel bad for Mathieson the injuries derailed his career. To be honest the Phils never gave much of a shot in the Majors. Hopes he bounces back and screws RAJ up the Phrack hole. lol

[gobaystars]

Speaking of A88holes, Bobby Valentine will manager the Red Sox next year. I hate that guy more than anyone involved in baseball.

[mikehh]

I hope scott posednik makes the team so maybe Lisa durgen shows up at a few games

[gobaystars]

MATHIESON'S FASTBALL IS FLATTER THAN PAPER!! THE PHILLIES DID NOT WRONG HIM IN ANY WAY! THEY DID HIM A SOLID BY LETTING SIGN FOR $2MILL WITH THE GIANTS!

[The hook]

It wouldn't be the first time players who were thought to decline,but accepted it. Maddux, that stiff millwood, and Polly did it. Never say never. And with the philles setting the bar so high. I can see teams looking at maddson and saying he's only closed in one place one season. I remember a certain assistant GM saying" that ship has sailed" on bring mr lee back. Sure it might be a reach. But I never close the door on borass and his shenanigans.

[Meyer]

I guess if the Phillies really wanted a Reclaim Project Manager they could hire Ed Wade. Send him to Venezuela with a big bag of cash to spring Urbina. There is probably 7-10 years of life remaining in that arm. On the way back, load up Vicente Padilla in Nicaragua and then drop in on Chris Roberson in Mexico.

[Klaus]

Returning to the setup role and aging one year isn't going to cause Madson to nab a contract larger than the ones on offer this offseason.

[rauls grandpa]

I guess "my sources" (wink wink) in Boston were right about Valentine eating dinner with Boston big shots weeks ago. That cousin can stay on the payroll even though he suggested it was Epstein who was dining with him.

P.S. I am not saying anything about Padilla but let's just say I used to sweat like that when I pitched softball drunk.

[Carrol]

"consistent ineptitude" Reads to me as if the writer is extremely inexperienced or has a life grudge that requires work. At least you've scored a comment ! Trace this one in your CV.
Scott will transcend your delusion.

[Bowlcut]

the hook: That's good so when maddawg is back after taking the arbitration. The back end is gonna be nasty. Bastardo, maddson, and pap. Wow! That cleared the spot for him.

More likely it cleared the spot for the rule 5 guy they pick next week.

[Mister Zoomer]

Meyer - your plan for Wade sounds like a Warren Zevon song. It wouldn't be long before old Eddie was call Rube asking for lawyers, guns and money.

[UGG Bailey Button Tripets]

Meyer - your plan for Wade sounds like a Warren Zevon song. It wouldn't be long before old Eddie was call Rube asking for lawyers, guns and money.

[Edmundo]

You can't expect much from these kinds of transactions. Strictly hit or misch.

Posted by: clout | Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 04:17 PM

clout with a sense of humor! As the good nuns used to say when a "dumb" kid got a right answer, "Will wonders never cease!"

[Meyer]

Rumors, Reclaimers, Rule V'er, Rollins and Report to Clearwater.

[cut_fastball]

Go, clout go! Good stuff. We need more punny humor -- Old Phan went into hibernation.

[Rauls grandpa]

Carroll,
That sounds pretty personal. Or are you selling fake Louis Vitton bags?

[Meyer]

I'm thinking that the best medicine for Dom Brown at this point in his baseball career would be to have Yoenis Cespedes as his inseparable friend and roomie at L.V.

[lorecore]

best medicine for the Phils would be for DOM to hold down LF and win the starting position while Mayberry covers for Howard.

[Justin Bieber Shoes]

Foundation, in partnership with the World Photography Organisation, has today, Wednesday 23 November, made the call for submissions to the 2012 Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards for the Best Photography Book and Best Moving Image Book of the year.

[Justin Bieber Shoes]

Foundation, in partnership with the World Photography Organisation, has today, Wednesday 23 November, made the call for submissions to the 2012 Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards for the Best Photography Book and Best Moving Image Book of the year.