Hey guys! How are we doing? I can't believe I am already two months into the off-season. Before you know it we will be headed out to either Florida or Arizona for the start of Spring Training. I've received a lot of emails lately asking me what my status is for next year and if I've made any decision on where I will be playing. I wanted to take a few minutes and answer a bunch of the questions that I've received.
The free agency period technically only started a few days ago. I guess the rule is that no teams can discuss free agency with a player until five days after the World Series ends. Since that day has passed I have spoken with a dozen or so teams so far, but these are just preliminary talks and we will get more into detail over the next few weeks. I know after I put this blog up I'm going to get a thousand more emails asking what teams I have spoken with and who has the most interest, so I wanted to let everyone know ahead of time that I'm not going to go into too much detail about the teams until we get a little further in the process. A lot can change from day to day so I figure it's best to wait before I get into too much.
At this point I am not really sure when I will make my final decision. Last year I didn't sign with the Nationals until around the middle of December, but that situation was a little different from this year. I wasn't actually a free agent last year until around the beginning of December, so things got pushed back a little longer than usual.
If you have any questions let me know by writing in the comment section below. If you have emailed me lately and I haven't gotten around to answering you back I'm sorry, and will try to do so as quick as I can. My email has really gotten backed up over the last few months. I hope everyone has a great week and I will talk with you all later!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
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Thanks for the update Matt! Sounds like the teams have started their Christmas shopping and it's only a matter of which team's stocking you'll be placed in for the New Year. Enjoy the process! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about talks already going on, that's great but not too much of a surprise.
ReplyDeleteSo, is this at all stressfull for you or do you not do too much and just check in with your agent now and again?
Hey thanks. Nah, it isn't stressful at all. I know I will be playing somewhere next year, just not sure where. I just let my agent do his thing. We stay in contact everyday to talk about what teams said and then we will start to make some decisions at some point.
ReplyDeleteExactly lol. Thanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteGo to the Phillies!!!!!! And start the year in double a so i can watch you in reading!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it isn't a stressful event for you and a laid back process. It is going to be fun to see what and who you end up going with. Good luck on getting that right combination your looking for. Now I kind of wish your or any agent had a blog.
ReplyDeleteHaha...I don't know the chances of that happening, but I will keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteHope you end up back with the Nats, but if not, the Cubs would be a good spot. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you'll be off to Florida, congratulations. Sounds like a great opportunity - http://atmlb.com/vNqpei
ReplyDeleteGood luck Matty!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the O's family. As a fellow blogger, I've been following your blog for some time now. Good luck in 2012, and I hope you will sign an autograph or two for my O's collection.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Man. Just broke on MLBTR! love the orioles
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the ML contract Matt! I've become a fan since I stumbled across your name at the top of the Syracuse stats (followed by "who IS this guy?" and finding your backstory on the web), and I can't tell you how happy I am for you that you get to keep following your dream even after all the injury crap you went through. As a Nationals fan I was hoping you could stay in the organization, but
ReplyDeletewith the logjam in the middle infield I knew that it was going to be
hard to get a big league contract out of the team. Good on ya, mate! Here's hoping that you and Randy Knorr can swap stories during the Battle of the Beltways every year. Just go easy on the Nationals, Matt - remember who gave you a chance coming off of surgery ;-)
Welcome to the Orioles. Dont mind our owner. We wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new gig Matt - do well and hope to see you in Sarasota! Just wondering if you ever played against Matt Wieters when at Wake? Are you now at 100 % physically? Will you work out at one of the "high tech gyms over the winter? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new gig Matt - looking fwd to seeing you in Sarasota in March. Have you ever played against Matt Wieters when at Wake? Will you be working out at any of the "high tech" gyms over the winter?
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I did play against Matt while I was at Wake. Great player. I work out at a place called Catz during the winter up here in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hahaha I will be sure to keep that in mind! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks a lot! Sure thing!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteYes I'm excited thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks - one more - any relation to the Johnny Antonelli who pitched for the Boston Braves and NY/SF Giants?
ReplyDeleteNope, no relation that I know of.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on going to the O's! That's awesome having a major league contract and you deserve it! I have 3 quick questions for u that I would love If you answered!
ReplyDelete1. Did the Redsox ever contact you on joining them? (there my favorite team :)
2. What is your favorite vistor's ballpark!??
3. Do you sign autographs through the mail?
Thx so much and congrats!
Thanks! I actually never spoke with the Red Sox. Not sure if my agent had any discussions with them. I really liked playing in Dodger Stadium, but they are all really nice. I try to sign most of my stuff during the season. Send me something once spring training starts and I will be sure to get it back to you!
ReplyDeleteI just subscribed to your YouTube! I'm Tbautos512, feel free to subscribe! :) haha, I mostly do autograph videos, but I like to make movies with my friends once in awhile too. :D
ReplyDeleteMatt
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Orioles!! As a lifelong Os fan (have been to every World Series they have ever played...1966, 1969, 1970, 1979, 1983), I hope you have a great season and enjoy Camden Yards which is a fantastic place to play. We fans are hopeful that there will be a winner soon in Baltimore and that you will be part of it. Hope to see you in Sarasota.
Haha great!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks a lot! Yes, see you in Florida!
ReplyDelete