Matt Clark Signs with the NY Mets

Matt Clark, Chunichi's main first baseman last year, signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets yesterday.  The contract also includes an invitation to spring training.  Clark had an okay year for Chunichi in 2013 and certainly provided the power threat that their lineup needed, but things never entirely clicked.  He struggled to make contact at times and ended up one of the league leaders in k's. 

Clark came to the Dragons from the San Diego Padres organization where he was putting up impressive numbers in AAA.  Despite his success, his path to the majors appeared to be blocked by other prospects.  He now joins the Mets who's current first basemen include Ike Davis and Lucas Duda.  Davis was a first-round draft pick, but has underachieved so far in the majors to this point.  Still Davis will probably be given the greatest opportunity to win the first base job.  It may be a bit of a long shot that Clark will make the major league roster, but stranger things have happened.  He's got some serious power, so he may impress.  Even if he doesn't make the roster and I hope he does, I think he will at least stick in their organization and will hopefully get other opportunities down the road.  

Here's a blast from last spring:

 

 

You can also see a compilation of all of his 2013 home runs here