Joe Panik made his return to Citi Field on Friday when the Mets officially announced they had signed the veteran second baseman to a major league deal.
Panik was part of the St. John’s baseball team that played in the first ever game at Citi Field on March 28, 2009. “I’m ecstatic…it couldn’t have worked out any better for myself, personally. For me to come to a club in a playoff push, it’s very exciting.”
Once Panik was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, the St. John’s alum and New York native, flew back to his home on the East Coast.
The 28-year-old is hitting just .235/.310/.317 with 17 doubles, three homers, and 27 RBI in 388 plate appearances this year. He has been one of the toughest players to strike out with only 38 in 344 at-bats. The former Gold Glover has been solid defensively this year with 0 DRS and 2.1 UZR at second.
Important to note that Panik is under team control through the 2020 season.
Our own Mike Anthony reported on Thursday night that Panik was going to sign with the Mets when he officially became a free agent at 1:00 p.m. on Friday because the former All-Star wanted to “come home.”
On Thursday, the Mets announced they had signed right-handed reliever and lifelong Mets fan Brad Brach to a major league deal.
Brach, released by the Cubs, was born in Freehold, New Jersey and grew up in a family of Mets fans. The former All-Star told SNY he was in attendance to watch Game 3 of the 2015 World Series, “When David Wright hit that home run, it was probably one of the best baseball moments I’ve had regardless of on the field and what not.”
The 33-year-old Brach had a 6.13 ERA, 4.13 FIP, and 10.2 K/9 in 39.2 innings for the Cubs this year.
