Mets sign four players

According a press release, the Mets have signed four players, all to minor league deals with non-roster invites to spring training.

Nelson Figueroa heads up the list, along with Andy Green, Rene Rivera and Adam Bostick.

From the press release, via David Lennon:

Figueroa, 34-years-old, made six starts for the Mets in 2008. He worked 45.1 innings, surrendered 48 hits, 26 runs, 23 earned, with 26 walks and 36 strikeouts. He was also 4-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League last year. He has a 10-20 record with a 4.64 ERA in 90 major league games, 39 starts.

Bostick, 25, had his season limited to 11 games after undergoing left knee surgery on May 27. Adam went 2-2 with a 6.04 ERA with New Orleans last season. In 44.2 innings, he allowed 48 hits, 30 runs, earned, with 20 walks and 30 strikeouts.

Green, 31, split the year between the Cincinnati Reds’ Louisville team of the International League and the Mets’ New Orleans club. He was released by Louisville on July 1 and played his first game for New Orleans the next day.

Primarily a second baseman, Green hit .233 with 15 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 19 RBI for Louisville and .331 with 10 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 52 games with the Zephyrs.

He played in the major leagues in 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a .199 career average in 136 games. In 2007, he played in 18 games with the Hokkaido Nippon Hamfighters of the Pacific Division of the Japanese Professional Baseball League.

Rivera, 25, had been the Seattle Mariners’ organization since 2001. Last year, he performed for two teams: Jacksonville (AA) of the Southern League and Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. He hit .231 in 38 games with Jacksonville and .271 in 38 contests for Las Vegas.

Rene performed in 53 games with the Mariners in parts of 2004, 2005 and 2006 and has a .227 big league average with seven doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI.

Can't go wrong with these kind of signings.

Figueroa quickly became a fan-favorite last season, so hopefully he can rekindle some of that magic if need be. Always nice to have a young catcher around, even if he can't hit much.

Bostick came to the Mets with Jason Vargas in a trade for Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom. The team probably wishes they could have that one back right about now, even though Vargas could break into the Mets rotation at some point this season.

Again, can't complain.