Phillies Sign Brian Schneider; Coste Prefers Philly Too
According to The Morning Call, Brian Schneider has signed a one-year two-year, $3M contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Schneider grew up in Pennsylvania, graduating from Northampton High School, about an hour north of Philadelphia — and as you may have guessed, grew up a Phillies fan.
According to Brian’s Uncle Mike (the Northampton HS Athletic Director):
“It’s neat because we all grew up Philllies fans and we were fans wherever he went, but for him to come back home, everybody is overjoyed. His dad (Mike’s brother Pete Schneider) called and said he on his way over to the stadium now.”
In related news, the Mets signed former Phillie Chris Coste to a contract that guarantees him a spot on the 40-man roster. Coste had this to say to CSNPhilly.com (hat tip to MetsBlog):
“It was the Mets,” Coste told CSN. “It’s the last team I ever saw myself playing for. I knew I was going to accept it, but had to think about it for a few days. It wasn’t my choice to leave Philly,” Coste said. “I never wanted to leave Philadelphia, I will always consider myself a Phillie.”
It is so pleasing to hear that Brian Schneider is happy to be joining the Phillies, and that the Mets’ newest catcher would prefer to be with the Phillies.
Coupled with the recent signings of Alex Cora and Elmer Dessens, could the offseason have begun with any more optimism and excitement? Doubtful.
Though, now that you mention it, the Phillies signing Schneider to a two-year, $3M deal to be a backup is a MUCH better idea than trading a toolsy 23-year-old outfielder for Schneider, and then paying him $10M over two years to be a starting catcher.
This is the fundamental difference between the Mets and Phillies: the Mets overpay and over-expect, while the Phillies pay market value and set realistic expectations.