Former Oakland A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell has a new major league team, having signed with the New York Mets.
When last we saw Bruce Maxwell, he was refusing a contract from the Oakland A’s. With their unproven catching situation, the franchise had made an effort to reach out to their former catcher, looking to bring him back on a major league contract. However, Maxwell turned down the offer, claiming that he felt he only received that contract as a favor to his agent, Dave Stewart.
Now, after an unnecessary delay of months, Maxwell is back with a major league organization, having signed with the New York Mets.
Breaking: The Mets have agreed to a deal with Bruce Maxwell, the former A’s catcher known best for kneeling during the national anthem in 2017.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 28, 2020
Contract is pending a physical/intake testing.
This is Maxwell’s first job in affiliated baseball since 2018.https://t.co/SI8nzVEwyM
Obviously, there are some moving parts before this signing becomes official. He will need to pass his physical, and have two negative tests for COVID-19, before he can be a part of the organization. Then, he will report to the Mets’ alternative location.
More from White Cleat Beat
- Zach Logue yet another disappointing Oakland A’s trade return
- Luis Barrera heading to familiar foe in Los Angeles Angels
- Looking back at Ruben Sierra with the Oakland A’s
- San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
- Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen
To a degree, it is a surprise that Maxwell took this long to sign. After being let go by the A’s after the 2018 season, he put together an impressive showing in the Mexican League. In his 487 plate appearances for the Acereros de Monclova, Maxwell produced a .325/.407/.559 batting line, hitting 24 homers and 27 doubles.
He would seemingly fit in well as a backup option on any team. Maxwell does have a bit of pop, and is a strong defensive catcher. He possesses an excellent arm, which was also on display in Mexico as he gunned down 38% of would be base stealers. Paired with his excellent defense, he should have been back in affiliated ball before now.
But first, Maxwell needed to grow up. His adamant refusal to return to Oakland because he did not feel they wanted him, despite offering him a contract, was ridiculous. Perhaps, in the time that has passed, that has happened, where Maxwell realizes that teams just do not hand out contracts. And perhaps now, he is ready to get his major league career back on track.
Bruce Maxwell is back, having signed with the New York Mets. But it did not need to come down to this.