Let’s never mind all this pitching stuff. Look, the Mets will get Zito or they won’t get Zito. They’ll trade Milledge for a starter or they won’t trade Milledge for a starter. It’s really hard to know what is going to happen although you read more and more that the Mets want Zito and Zito wants the Mets. We’ll see soon enough.
The Mets lost Julio Lugo to the Boston Red Sox and to be honest that makes sense.
As you recall Valentin started out the 2006 season as a bench player. He was awful. He was so bad as a pinch hitter that many callers into local sports talk shows were calling for the Mets to release him. But then he started to play more frequently filling in for outfielders and at second base. And it was at second base that Valentine got his chance. Anderson Hernandez was handed the starting job at the outset of the season but he hurt his back and had to go on the disabled list at the same time that Kaz Matsui came off of an injury he suffered in spring training. As usual Matsui started off hot once again opening the season with a home run (inside the park) but shortly after he went into his usual funk. Valentin now hitting well and showing signs of power began playing second base frequently where he flourished. Not only did Jose hit well and with power but he played very well defensively, especially on the double play. To make a long story short the Mets found themselves a second baseman. In 384 at bats, Valentin batted .271, hit 18 home runs, and batted in 62 runs. He certainly looked like he had put an injury plagued 2005 season behind him as he put up numbers similar to his 2003 and 2004 seasons with the White Sox. The highlight of his season occurred on September 18 where Valentin hit two home runs to ice the Mets NL East clincher.
The complaint regarding Valentin starting every day for the Mets next year is that he struggled at the end of this last season and especially in the post season. Does this mean his age is beginning to show or did he just slump for what ever reason? Valentin has been a good hitter throughout his career and until last season he never played second base so when given the opportunity to step up, Valentin did just that. Minaya feeling so strong about what Valentin meant to the team awarded him a new contract with the promise of once again being the second baseman or a super-sub if the Mets had acquired a Julio Lugo or Adam Kennedy type of player. But the Mets did not go crazy throwing ridiculous money at a second baseman. They certainly could have and found a suitable replacement for Valantin. However it appears the Mets need that money for something they covet more, something or should I say someone whose name starts with a Z.
Also let’s not forget about Anderson Hernandez, he’s still on the Mets roster. He just turned 24 years old and is the fielding equivalent to Ray Ordonez. His over the shoulder diving catch early last April in a game at Shea is still being played on highlight reels. His problem so far is that he hits like Rey Ordonez. However Hernandez has hit at every level so most scouts feel it’s a matter of time before he figures out Major League pitching. Of course he’s not going to win any batting titles but .250 to .260 is not out of the question. The approach the Mets will likely take next season is a combination of Hernandez and Valentine at second base with Valentin being declared the starting player. And let’s not forget that although the winter meetings are winding down, trades and free agent signings will continue to happen right through spring training. With the lineup the Mets have, they can afford to go into the season with Valentin and Hernandez at second. They both are more than sound defensively and will provide enough offense to get the job done.
