In what is starting to become a disturbing trend, the Phillies added another fringe former Met talent off the scrap heap Wednesday when they signed 33-year-old catcher Brian Schneider to a two-year contract.

The deal is reportedly worth $2.75 million.

Schneider, a semi-Phillie killer, batted a whopping .218 with three home runs and 18 RBIs is 59 games last season for the Mets. Schneider was a great defensive catcher in his heyday, but proved last year to be, at best, a marginal big-league talent at this stage in his career.

However, he’s probably an upgrade over Paul Bako, who, sadly, will not return in 2010.

Schneider likely will play a day per week to spell Carlos Ruiz, who has emerged as one of the best catchers in baseball and, thus, is in line for a big payday.

—

The Schneider signing comes a day after Chris Coste tagged on with the Mutts.

Coste, however, would rather be in Philly, he told Comcast SportsNet.

“It’s the last team (the Mets) I ever saw myself playing for.  I knew I was going to accept it, but had to think about it for a few days… It wasn’t my choice to leave Philly… I never wanted to leave Philadelphia, I will always consider myself a Phillie.”