They need ValentÃn. He’s one of those guys that makes everyone better just by being there.
Valentin will be a positive influence, whether or not he hits.
You can never have enough good people around like Valentin. I don’t know how much he will be able to help as a player at this point, but he’s a great baseball man.Congratulations, Mets fans. You have done violence to reason. You have set back the progress of civilization at least five years.
Here's a thought. What the hell is 22-year old Nick Evans, who has played all of 17 games in the minor leagues in the outfield, doing here as our starting left fielder? When the Mets aren't favoring "proven veterans" who were All-Stars six years ago over major-league-ready youngsters, they're busy promoting prospects well before their time in order to fuck with their heads.
If Valentin is such a fucking charmer, make him a coach. But he has next-to-nothing left as a baseball player, and pretending otherwise is silly. Knowing as much and still putting him on the team is stupid. How many old backup second basement types can we have on this team? Oh, lots:
Marlon Anderson (34 years old, 77% of career games at 2B, career 84 OPS+)
Damion Easley (38 years old, 81% of career games at 2B, career 92 OPS+)
Luis Castillo (32 years old, 100% of career games at 2B, career 93 OPS+)
Jose Valentin (37 years old, 77% of career games at SS, 90% at SS+2B, career 96 OPS+)
Fernando Tatis (33 years old, 88% of career games at 3B, career 100 OPS+)
11 comments:
"If Valentin is such a fucking charmer, make him a coach."
I concur!
2006 was a fluke for the guy. At his age, and the way his health has been, he won't provide the Mets much at all at the plate, or on the field.
I think the fans over at metsblog are too familiar with Valentin's name, hence the high percentage of votes. The average fan, like the average human is about as smart as a gerbil with down-syndrome.
I'm with you, JP. Valentin is done; there's no reason to try going back to that well again.
But who pretell is major league ready in the minors? Pascucci? He himself is a veteran of professional baseball.
The difference is that Pascucci is in his prime and has not had a chance in major league baseball. He currently fills a role that the Mets have a need for, which is why they are using Nick Evans, Fernando Tatis and Damion Easley at 1B/OF every day.
Val Pascucci is a quintessential Ken Phelps all-star - a guy who's put up great minor-league numbers but never given a chance to play in the major leagues. It's possible he might prove his doubters right, but there's no reason not give him a shot.
Even sight unseen, I take Tatis over Pascucci at this point. If his name was Jesus maybe I'd think about it. And comparing him to Ken Phelps? I mean, you kill your argument right there. There is always a reason why a guy doesn't get his shot. Bringing up Evans, besides more options and 40-man implications, was, in my view, was a good choice because it brought a a little youth and wide-eyed vitality into a clubhouse filled with arrogance and despair.
Hey is Pascucci gets his shot and pulls a great half season out then all of of haters and non-believers will eat our hats, but if he was that good, I mean the way the Pascucci lovers out there have been playing him up, then why isn't he already here?
Tim,
Your argument hinges on the assumption that the Mets are very good at evaluating talent. Remember, the Mets let Jeff Keppinger tear up AAA while they stuck with Kaz Matsui and Miguel Cairo at 2B. Then when Keppinger was given a chance to be the 2B the following year, the Mets gave the job to Anderson Hernandez despite virtually identical spring training numbers.
I would like to see Pascucci up here, but I do enjoy seeing what type of game Evans has. He is not that good of a fielder but he has a nice approach at the plate. I really don't think he will get over exposed. I do feel that he is a bit small for a corner outfielder.
Off topic but, I was wondering if you could write a post on the Merit or folly of moving Pelfrey to the bullpen? I would really like to know what you think. My friends and I have loooong and drawn out discussions on this subject, and I think I need a fressh opinion on this subject.
-Coolpapabell
Tim,
With all due respect, you misunderstood my comment. A "Ken Phelps all-star" is a idea introduced by Bill James in the 1980's to recognize players who have been successful in the minor league, but, because they've been slapped with a label and/or have certain obvious limitations, have never been a real chance to porve themselves in the majors. If given the chance to play in the majors, some of them Ken Phelps all-stars will prove their detractors right, but some of them will establish themselves as valuable major-league players. Jeff Keppinger is one example. Heath Bell is another one that comes to mind.
I don't know why Pascucci hasn't been given a chance. My guess is that (1) he's very limited defensively and (2) he strikes out a ton. He's also put up dominant numbers in the minor leagues, and shown terrific plate discipline and power. Given the lousy alternatives facing the Mets, it's worth giving him a shot.
3) (and most important), There are a lot of 1B/DH types who are very defensively limited so one must be a very good hitter to make it in that position. With Pascucci it's probably his low batting average and high strikeout totals that have kept him out of the big leagues. I am confident that Pascucci could significantly outperform Carlos Delgado right now, let alone Evans, Anderson, Easley, and Tatis.
Have you guys been watching Evans the past few days? It's obvious he's overmatched by major league pitching. Better that he continue to develop his hitting in the minors than suck in the majors.
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