The Mets announced today, Feb. 11, that the organization agreed to minor league contracts with first baseman Mike Jacobs, left-handed pitcher Hisanori Takahashi and catcher Shawn Riggans. All three were invited to spring training.
Jacobs, 29, was originally drafted by the Mets in the 38th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He progressed through the ranks of the team's minor league system as a catching prospect, but converted to first base in 2005. He made his major league debut with the Mets in August 2005 and hit 11 home runs in 100 at bats, including one in his first plate appearance. He was traded following the 2005 season to the Florida Marlins as part of the transaction that brought first baseman Carlos Delgado to the Mets.
While with the Marlins, Jacobs hit as many as 32 home runs in a single season (2008). He played with the Kansas City Royals in 2009, functioning primarily as a designated hitter. According to Jon Heyman, of Sports Illustrated, Jacob's contract will be worth $900,000 if he makes the major league roster and could be worth up to $2.05M through incentives.
Takahashi, 34, pitched for ten years with the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he was part of three championship teams (2000, 2002, 2009). He appeared as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, but has worked mostly as a starting pitcher since 2007. He pitched 144 innings in 2009 and struck out 126, his 2009 stats can be found here.
Riggans, 29, was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays in December, 2009. He appeared in 64 major league games with the Rays (2006-2009) and hit seven home runs.
The Mets also signed shortstop Rylan Sandoval, 22, to a minor league contract. Sandoval was drafted by the Mets in 2007, 30th round, but he instead opted to transfer to Long Beach State University. He went undrafted following his senior season, 2009, and was showcasing himself in the Arizona Winter League.
Jacobs, 29, was originally drafted by the Mets in the 38th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He progressed through the ranks of the team's minor league system as a catching prospect, but converted to first base in 2005. He made his major league debut with the Mets in August 2005 and hit 11 home runs in 100 at bats, including one in his first plate appearance. He was traded following the 2005 season to the Florida Marlins as part of the transaction that brought first baseman Carlos Delgado to the Mets.
While with the Marlins, Jacobs hit as many as 32 home runs in a single season (2008). He played with the Kansas City Royals in 2009, functioning primarily as a designated hitter. According to Jon Heyman, of Sports Illustrated, Jacob's contract will be worth $900,000 if he makes the major league roster and could be worth up to $2.05M through incentives.
Takahashi, 34, pitched for ten years with the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he was part of three championship teams (2000, 2002, 2009). He appeared as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, but has worked mostly as a starting pitcher since 2007. He pitched 144 innings in 2009 and struck out 126, his 2009 stats can be found here.
Riggans, 29, was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays in December, 2009. He appeared in 64 major league games with the Rays (2006-2009) and hit seven home runs.
The Mets also signed shortstop Rylan Sandoval, 22, to a minor league contract. Sandoval was drafted by the Mets in 2007, 30th round, but he instead opted to transfer to Long Beach State University. He went undrafted following his senior season, 2009, and was showcasing himself in the Arizona Winter League.
