[EmpireWF]

In what continues to be a wild MLB off-season as far as salaries go, the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles (or whatever they call themselves these days) signed OF Gary Matthews Jr. yesterday. The contract is a five year deal worth $50 Million!

How in the world did he deserve that? He had one good year and he's most known for one defensive catch. His power wasn't even great and he was playing in Texas last season.

$10 Million a year for him? That's a bit excessive. Just when you thought MLB Owners learned from their mistakes, now they're spending the coin like it's going out of style.

[azrael492]

What were they thinking. He hit 19 HRs last year. That is 1/4 of his career total and he has been in the league since '99. If you take out stats for 2006 his career BA is .247. That is more than likely what they are getting. This last year was a fluke. They had to have signed him for that catch he made thinking it would upgrade defense. Nobody with sense would think after all this time he finally figured out how to hit.

[MJHMarc]

That was a pretty cool catch!

I'm glad about this acquisition because I am a Dodgers fan. But otherwise, it seems as if they jumped the gun too early.

[MVB]

Wow, what a waste of money... I mean, I know he's got a solid glove, but $50 million dollars???

2003: 4 HR, 22 RBI, .271 BA
2004: 11 HR, 36 RBI, .275 BA
2005: 17 HR, 55 RBI, .255 BA

These are not solid numbers at all.. the Angels took a big risk with the $50 million.

[MJHMarc]

2005: 17 HR, 55 RBI, .255 BA

That's the best?

I've seen better numbers in the Minor Leagues.

[ThePundit]

This might be one of the most retarded contracts in the history of sports. It's really sickening.