The Phillies have signed 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Joe Mather to a minor league deal.  Mather played in 103 games for the Cubs last year and he was 47 of 225 (.209 avg, .581 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 5 homers, 19 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.  Mather has now played in 229 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 108 of 493 (.219 avg, .628 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.  Mather will get a shot to win a job on the Phillies’ bench this spring.

UPDATE:  (3/9/2013) - The Phillies have released Joe Mather.