Algodoneros de Unión Laguna signed RHP Jenrry Mejía to an unknown contract
Mejía is many years removed from the promise he once showed with the New York Mets. He’s not as removed from the lifetime ban Major League Baseball gave him for a third positive test for a banned steroid in 2016. Mejía was able to apply for reinstatement in 2018 and was granted reentry into the MLB ranks. Things didn’t quite go how Mejía wanted as he was shelled in numerous outings for the Pawtucket Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs following a brief dominant stint in the Dominican Summer League against a bunch of raw kids.
This season Mejía is hoping to get his career back on track with Unión Laguna. This is a simple signing to write about as there are only a few factors at play here. Unión Laguna has signed Mejía for his name value and the past promise found in his right arm. If him being a former big leaguer brings a few more fans to Estadio Revolución then the move will have been a partial success for the Algodoneros. Should Mejía be competent on the mound then that is gravy for a team that is staring down a possible cellar finish in Liga Mexicana de Béisbol’s North Division. These are the only two issues at play for Unión Laguna when it comes to Mejía.
Things are just as simple for Mejía. He needs to pitch well for Unión Laguna to show people that his career is not finished. The Dominican Republic native is signing with a last-place team because there is little pressure involved. If Mejía pitches well then maybe a minor league or MLB scout will see him and he’ll get another shot. In the meantime, Mejía can collect a paycheck in a place where he can fail for a time and not fear any direct impact on his livelihood.
In all likelihood, Mejía will not be good for Unión Lagunas. Not good enough to garner any attention that is, especially considering that LMB’s switch back to the less aerodynamic Rawling’s baseball would stifle any strong positive word of mouth if he does do good with the Allgodoneros. Unión Laguna needs something to get more fans to the ballpark and maybe Mejía will do that, for a time. No one really wins and no one really loses with this signing, sometimes unaffiliated ball plays out that way.
Lead photo courtesy of Tony Gutierrez – Associated Press
