Danny Knobler

He was never worth $50 million.

We guessed that when Gary Matthews Jr. signed his ridiculously big contract with the Angels three winters ago. We're sure of it after watching how the last three years have gone.

But here's what we also need to remember: If you get past the crazy salary, Matthews can still be a useful player. And at $2 million, which is all he'll cost the Mets over the next couple of years, he's worth the risk.

The Mets have had a horrible winter. It feels like the only players they can get are the ones no one else wants. Even Jason Bay, their big prize, seemed to have few if any other options. Bengie Molina, who for most of the winter seemed to have no other options, waited for weeks until he found one, eventually returning to the Giants for less guaranteed money than the Mets were offering.

Now the Mets get Matthews, who was unhappy with the Angels because he didn't get to play enough (and, of course, the Angels were unhappy with him because he didn't play well enough).

It feels at first like the Mets picking up another scrap that no one wants, but this one makes more sense. Carlos Beltran is coming off knee surgery and will miss the first few weeks of the season. The Mets need someone who can play center field. Matthews can play center field.

"The kid's always had talent," said one scout who has followed Matthews' career. "He'll make the routine play, and sometimes even make better plays than that. I just wish he'd work a little harder, and I wish he would realize what he is offensively, and not try to hit home runs."

Gary Matthews isn't going to save the Mets. That falls on Beltran (once he comes back), on Jose Reyes and Johan Santana and David Wright. But among the Mets' problems last year was a lack of depth, and a huge falloff whenever one of their star players was out.

Matthews isn't a star, despite his star-like salary. But he is a major-league player, and the Mets need more of those.