Mets Sign Washed Up Metallica Fan To Minor League Deal



I missed this item the other day, perhaps because I was hoping it wouldn't happen. The New York Mets have signed 36 year old Scott Erickson to a minor league contract worth $700,000 . Erickson sat out the entire 2003 season with a shoulder injury, and went 5-12 with a 5.55 ERA for Baltimore in 2002.

If you're wondering why an aging pitcher with a bum shoulder is going to get a shot at the 5th spot in the Mets' rotation, be sure to note that Erickson is pals with John Franco. If Jim Duquette really thinks this is a good signing, low risk with a potentially high payoff, so be it. His judgment is more sound than mine. But it does seem weird the way an association with players who are close to Fred Wilpon ---- Tom Glavine (brother Mike, David Weathers), Franco (Erickson) figures into things. If said buddies can contribute, no problem. But being Mets GM must be difficult enough as is, even without the input from Wilpon's panel of experts.

Posted: Sat - February 7, 2004 at 05:25 PM      

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