Veteran right-hander Mat Latos has signed a deal with the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Canadian-American Association, the Jackals announced today.
Latos, 30, tossed just 15 innings in the Majors last season, all with the Blue Jays, and notched a 3.81 ERA in an additional 28 innings with Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. The former Padres/Reds hurler was a rising star early in his career, pitching to a 3.27 ERA in 799 innings between San Diego and Cincinnati from 2010-13 before injuries began to derail him.
Latos underwent knee surgery in February 2014, and while he returned that summer to toss 102 1/3 innings of 3.25 ERA ball for the Reds, he experienced a rapid decline in the subsequent seasons. An offseason trade to the Marlins was followed by a half season of pedestrian work with the Marlins and a pair of uninspiring stints with both L.A. clubs following the 2015 non-waiver deadline. Latos has had brief stints with the White Sox, Nationals and Jays since that time, but his overall body of work dating back to 2015 is unsightly: a 5.05 ERA, 6.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 201 1/3 innings at the big league level.
Can’t remember a solid pitcher declining so fast. He was a solid 2 up to that time.
The history of baseball is littered with bodies that flamed out faster than it took for their star to shine.
That’s why making the Hall of Fame is so difficult. Many, many, many guys have had exceptional seasons. The guys that can do it year in and year out are the rare exceptions.
I live in New Jersey, and I didn’t know we had Jackals let alone any team other than Devils
We have Deer, tho^ 😉
I really wasn’f kidding, I didn’t even know NJ had any sports teams lol. We used to have the NJ Nets, but they moved to Brooklyn starting 2012-2013 NBA season, leaving us with hockey as the only New Jersey team.
The Jets and Giants technically play in Jersey.
I am sorry but any true Jersey person knows that we have two footballs teams (name only NY due to legal naming rights) a hockey team and 6 minor league baseball teams. The Trenton Thunder is a NY Yankee farm team. If you are going to respond about anything on a forum, please make sure you at least know about the state you claim to live in and do not show your ignorance.
Yo guy…rob deer and the jackals are a Jersey garage band and they are fully aware of you…
But what about Cat Latos?
Poor guy. He entered free agency at a young age but his arm was blown by then. He should have signed an extension. He could be James Shields part 2 right now!.
The guy is a basket case. He’s deserved everything he’s received.
He burned so many bridges it’s amazing he found a way back to shore at all.
Okay Dusty Baker
While I’ve taken exception to some of Baker’s practices, he forgets more about baseball in one day than I could ever hope to learn in a lifetime.
You’d probably make a better manager though.
How much do these types of deals pay?
If the book about the Sonoma Stompers is any indication, it would appear he might make roughly 800-1000 dollars a month; slightly less than affiliated minor league teams pay (roughly 1100-1300 a month). With no allowance for housing, no meal money, etc. And they don’t get paid in the offseason either. Players playing at this level are trying to get back to the majors or are playing out of pure love for the game..
This is proof that karma will bite you so hard, even in baseball.
The only thing that bit Latos was a steep decline.
Uh….karma.
No. With the type of performance he has displayed over the past 3 seasons the guy could be Mother Theresa and he still wouldn’t have a job in MLB.
Wishing success for guys who deserve it, not including Latos.
“Jackals” is just one letter off from being the perfect team name for the notoriously difficult Latos.
So you played with him? What position you play bro?
I take it you’re playing the “you don’t know if he’s a jerk because you don’t know him in person” card?
Is that you, Mat?
Yep, you caught me.
And you still don’t know if he’s a jerk or not.
It is a well known fact that this guy is a tool. Why are you trying to be Mat Latos’ white knight?
According to who is it a “well known fact?” Unless you know him personally or have played with or against him, you just don’t know.
yeah, you can from the stories that are told
He truly was not a very nice person. He may have changed and matured a bit over the past few years.
Isn’t there a team somewhere outside Jersey Latos can lead to a last place finish? How bout South Korea or China? Italy or Israel, perhaps??
Really, even if he believes he can still throw, no one else thinks he can, as his numbers over the last few years demonstrate. Happy retirement, guy!
Israel? There is no pro or semi pro league in Israel? Germany, Spain or the Netherlands would be a better fit.
As inglorious fates go, playing for a team named the Jackals in New Jersey has to take all the cupcakes.