LeCroy signs with A's

by Jon Marthaler on Feb 15, 2008 6:42 PM EST

The Oakland A's today announced that they have agreed to terms with free agent catcher Matt LeCroy on a minor league contract. LeCroy will be a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Congrats to LeCroy on keeping the dream alive.

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I hope he makes the club

It would be fun to watch him play when I go to A's games.

Good luck Matt!

by caluofmn on Feb 15, 2008 8:28 PM EST reply actions

Hope for Matt......

Sure, it's about as far away as he can get from his home and family, but a job can be a job.

I HAD heard via the grapevine that LeCroy was #2 on the list if the A's decided not to go after Barry Bonds.

Looks like another successful signing for the DH position, following Frank Thomas in 2006 and Mike Piazza in 2007.

Sad to read of the retirement of the MoneyBall oversized catcher Jeremy Brown. Like the folks over at fantasyball land said, he stood a good chance of carving out somewhat of a career for a team needing a DH and a third catcher, or at least a modest income for a few more seasons in AAA ball, where he was better-than-your-average aging veteran.

Back to Matt...at least Oakland isn't as far away as Japan!

check out Twinkies autograph collection at www.TwinsCards.com

by twintown on Feb 15, 2008 8:54 PM EST reply actions

matt lecroy

i think that he can make this team as a third catcher and a pretty decent bat off the bench

by MauerPower07 on Feb 15, 2008 9:10 PM EST reply actions

Git er done!

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Feb 15, 2008 11:00 PM EST reply actions

Everyone who thinks...

...that he has any chance of making the A's must have missed his performance last year at Rochester. Now I have always liked LeCroy as much as everyone else, but his performance in Rochester was absolutely terrible...hitting .194/.281/.279 with only 3 home runs in 247 at bats. Is it possible he can come back after regular playing time last year?

by roger @ Twinkie Town on Feb 16, 2008 11:29 AM EST reply actions

toast

Exactly, while I hope he can put something together, Lecroy's production indicates he is toast....Beane just taking a flyer here

by guinness junky on Feb 16, 2008 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Jeremy Brown retired

The only reason they signed LeCroy is for depth in the wake of the unexpected retirement of Moneyball poster child Jeremy Brown (for personal reasons). Of course, neither catcher looks good in a pair of jeans. Ergo, Matty's the perfect choice to replace Brown.

As for LeCroy, I'm amazed he even played the last three years with his knees. But a recent Joe C. story indicated that he "feels better than he has in years" and was just waiting for a call. When his knees were healthy, he was s decent third catcher/DH option, especially against left handers. So he could maybe have something left. I doubt it. I'll be looking at Sacramento box scores for signs of life and hoping for a miracle.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Feb 16, 2008 2:26 PM EST reply actions

The URL

Credit Ray Ratto, Chronicle Staff Writer

Jeremy Brown, the A's catcher and the reluctant poster child for "Moneyball," has retired.

"Man, the past is a long and twisty road." -- Satchel Paige.

by Firpo Marberry on Feb 18, 2008 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

I sure hope

I sure he more than feels better than he has in years. I hope his swing is faster than it's been in a couple years, because his swing was molasseses slow last time I saw him at 2007 spring training.

So my pessimism for his ability to actually do it aside, I'd LOVE it if he could do a good job in a role and play for a little while longer. Nobody out there is a better guy than Matt Lecroy and I wish him luck.

Baseball is great because you cant take a knee or kill the clock. You gotta put the ball over the plate and give the other guy his damn shot E Weaver abridged

by AdamOnFirst on Feb 16, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions

This signing...

is a clear indication that Billy Beane really does value basestealing ability now.

by djskilbr on Feb 16, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions

He likes big butts

... and he cannot lie...

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Feb 16, 2008 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

Damn you Cmath...

you just risked the safety of my keyboard by making me laugh that hard while drinking.

by djskilbr on Feb 16, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Cool

Every time I see a story about LeCroy, I feel a twinge of disappointment that I didn't pull the trigger on the really nice LeCroy jersey I saw on clearance at ProImage shortly after the Twins let him go a few years ago. That might be even more awesome than my Mitch Berger jersey.

by BeefMaster on Feb 18, 2008 11:45 AM EST reply actions