Mets Sign Corner Outfielder

While the Yankees continue to find a way to wrangle Curtis Granderson away from the Tigers, the Mets have made a move to acquire an outfielder.

According to Adam Rubin and Troy Renck, the Mets have signed veteran minor leaguer Mike Hessman.

Sit back, take a breath. Maybe splash some cool water on your face to get the heart rate down to normal again.

Hessman has a .208 career average in parts of four years in MLB since 2003. The 31-year-old can play both outfield corners and the infield corners. He is a 6’5″ 215-lb. righthanded hitter who hit .217 with 23 HRs, 30 doubles, 77 RBI, .326 OBP, and .766 OPS at AAA Toledo in 2009. He hit over 30 homers the previous two seasons, also in Toledo.

Per Rubin’s post:

Hessman will earn $90,000 in Triple-A and $425,000 at the major-league level. He may leave for Japan by April 5 for a compensation to the Mets of $50,000. Or, $100,000 after that date.

Not bad for a AAAA slugger, I guess — particularly since the Mets don’t have anyone in their farm system currently with 30+ HR power. But it sounds like he will be lost to Japan if he doesn’t make the big club.