The Mets announced this morning that they have agreed to a minor league deal with former A's catcher Landon Powell. The switch-hitting backstop has bounced back and forth between AAA and the majors the last three years, posting a less-than-inspiring .207/.284/.328 line in 406 plate appearances. Powell's a good defender by the metrics (small sample size caveat, of course) and boasts a strong arm, but hasn't provided much evidence that the bat can handle major league pitching.

However, like many of the other players the Mets have signed to minor league deals this offseason, Powell has extensive PCL experience and the bat has performed much better in AAA. Over five seasons in the Pacific Coast League, mostly for Sacramento, he's batted .241/.356/.400, showing very good patience and a bit of pop. So despite the invite to Spring Training, Powell is likely destined for Las Vegas come April. He'll add some veteran presence behind Travis d'Arnaud on the AAA squad and could back-up on the major league team in a pinch.