The Mets have signed catcher Taylor Teagarden to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, the team officially announced.
Joel Sherman reports that Teagarden will earn $725,000 if he makes the majors, plus bonuses of $25,000 each for 60 games and 80 games played. He has the right to opt out by June 15th if he is not on the MLB roster.
Teagarden appeared in 23 games for Baltimore last season, hitting .167 with two home runs, five RBIs and 18 strikeouts. He is a lifetime .206/.266/.390 hitter in 163 games over six seasons with the Orioles and Rangers.
The 30-year old was selected in the third round of the 2005 amateur player draft by Texas and was considered a top prospect, ranking 73rd on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list prior to the 2009 season.
John Sickels of MinorLeagueBall.com listed Teagarden as the Ranger’s fifth best prospect in December of 2008, giving the following description of the Dallas native:
“Excellent glove with power, could hit anywhere from .230 to .280 though.”
Teagarden will likely compete with Anthony Recker as the backup catcher to Travis d’Arnaud come this spring.
