Jose Valentin - Fact or Fiction?

[Elster88]

The other shoe is showing no signs of dropping. And yet I need something to be afraid of.

[Edgy MD]

There are backup plans, and there is enough fuel in the lineup that Valentin can't crash this plane all by himself.

So, for now, I'm enjoying the ride. Somebody find out what inspired him to bat lefty against a lefty.

[Frayed Knot]

"Somebody find out what inspired him to bat lefty against a lefty."

He said it was the change-up thing.

[metirish]

It's fact that Valentin is born again, clearly Willie is handling Jose just right with enough off days to keep him fresh for the long haul,it will be interesting to see what Omar does, will he now see to need to trade for a Lugo or Vidro, the next 3 to 4 weeks should tell, but for now lets root for Valentin to keep playing great.

[Elster88]

Edgy DC wrote: There are backup plans, and there is enough fuel in the lineup that Valentin can't crash this plane all by himself.

If the editing/writing thing ever gets boring, I think the suicide hotline could use you.

[smg58]

He's fact for now. I'm worried that he'll continue to play well for the next six weeks and then reality with strike hard immediately after the deadline. As it stands I'd keep the phone lines open about deals, but I'm in no hurry to make one.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Even if Valentin cools, I don't think he'll revert to awful. He can always drift down to the 8th spot in the lineup and the Mets will still have a strong offense.

If I were to make a deadline deal, I'd want to import a starting pitcher to put into the mix. It doesn't have to be a Dontrelle or a Barry, either. But I'd like to add someone experienced, reliable, and in his 30's who won't cost us prized prospects, if such a deal can be made.

[Guest Hillbilly]

Other = A reputable “wellness clinic�

[nymr83]

Valentin will crash back to earth (and by earth i mean his average numbers over the last few years.) But the Mets are ready and willing to replace him when that happens just as they have replaced the previous two slackers this season.

[Frayed Knot]

Simply saying that you'll - and assume that the someone will be an improvement - is easier said than done.

[nymr83]

Frayed Knot wrote: Simply saying that you'll - and assume that the someone will be an improvement - is easier said than done.

English please? "you'll" what?

[Zvon]

After today Im startin to think that he's for real.
Fact: that was his 9th career grand slam.

Thats alotta slams man.

I went lookin for the pleasent surprise thread and bumped this instead.
But lemme say here I change my vote for that to Valentine.
Im sold.

[nymr83]

Zvon wrote: But lemme say here I change my vote for that to Valentine. Im sold.

who? ME?

[Elster88]

Last 30 days:

.259/.302/.556//.858

24 G, 81 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 13 R.

I'll take it.

[Elster88]

Do we need to hit him leadoff though?

[Elster88]

Jose Valentin has the fourth highest OPS (.862) among Met position players

Beltran .985
Wright .950
Delgado .865
Valentin .862
Nady .812
Reyes .799
Floyd .780
Marrero .763
Lo Duca .753
Chavez .745
Milledge .706
Franco .699

[Elster88]

A full season of 2006 Valentin (projected to 500 at-bats)

.289 AVG, .337 OBP, .523 SLG, .860 OPS
35.6 2B, 6.3 3B
77.4 R, 23.0 HR, 90.0 RBI
39.7 BB, 85.8 K

That's approaching a 1988 McReynolds....who batted fifth on that team....and Valentin bats eighth for this team.

Draw your own conclusions from there.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He's this year's Ray Knight.

Which means that second base probably remains an offseason task this winter. But for now, we're good.

[Edgy MD]

Well, sure but these aren't 1988 dollars.

Your greater point, that he's given us all we could have hoped for, between Bret Boone's tears, is well taken.

[Elster88]

Edgy DC wrote: Well, sure but these aren't 1988 dollars.

Yeah. Not 100% sure that I'm understanding your metaphor, but of course I agree that offense is a lot easier to come by today. But, to me at least, the similarity is startling.

1988 Mac (552 AB):
.288/.336/.496//.832
25 2B, 3 3B
82 R, 27 HR, 99 RBI
38 BB, 56 K

2006 Valentin (projected to 500 AB):
.289 AVG, .337 OBP, .523 SLG, .860 OPS
35.6 2B, 6.3 3B
77.4 R, 23.0 HR, 90.0 RBI
39.7 BB, 85.8 K

[Elster88]

Edgy DC wrote: Well, sure but these aren't 1988 dollars.

BTW, that's another great thing about the CPF all-time rankings. They are adjusted for inflation.

[Elster88]

So what the hell is the deal that a player like Valentin or Chavez is seeing such success this year?

How on earth is Tucker slapping RBI doubles and throwing bbs to nail guys at second?

[MFS62]

Elster88 wrote: So what the hell is the deal that a player like Valentin or Chavez is seeing such success this year? How on earth is Tucker slapping RBI doubles and throwing bbs to nail guys at second?

The magic is back.

Later

[metirish]

Jose failed to make the list for "Comeback Player Of the Year", Beltran is on the list.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/fan_forum/viagra/y2006/index.jsp

[Elster88]

That's okay in my book. I don't see how you can be a comeback player if you never got there before. I think, though I could be wrong, that Jose's best years before this year were along the lines of .220, 20 HR and 20 errors.

[Edgy MD]

Better than that. Look it up... five straight years of 25-30 homers. Declining batting averages, but still not typicallly so low as that.