2ND BASE

[nymr83]

errors don't = defense, but those numbers at least convince me he's not going to be pulling a Knoblauch.

[metirish]

Mets sign Valentin to a one year deal worth Jose $3 million, according to the Daily News.

[Frayed Knot]

Good move - at worst he becomes a highly paid bench player.
Of course they could still use a good (preferably RH) super-sub to go with him.

[Guest sharpie]

Fine. I do hope we sign someone else who can play everyday but I got no problem with having Jose around for another year.

[soupcan]

metirish wrote: Mets sign Valentin to a one year deal worth Jose $3 million, according to the Daily News.

What is 'Jose $3 million'?

Is that like Latin American Euros or something?

[metirish]

Pipe down birthday boy...

[Guest Edgy DC]

With multiple sources reporting this, I guess I assume they're holding off on the announcement until after the "groundbreaking" ceremony.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I'll believe it when it's officially announced.

That "two-year deal" for Glavine was reported about two weeks ago.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Heck, it was announced four months ago also.

[DocTee]

Rich Aurilia anyone? RH, plays three infield positions. Good citizen, native Brooklynite...

[Farmer Ted]

$3 million to Valentin would prolly make him the strong incumbent at second. Doubt they'll shell out $11 million+ for two second sackers. Unless, of course, Valentin becomes next year's high-priced Woodward.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

They're still below what they paid for 2B last year when you consider Matsui's nut

[Vic Sage]

Aurilia is a signficant upgrade over Woodward, and good insurance against Valentin's inability to repeat last year's performance, or at least a good platoon partner. His contract, together with Valentin's, would still be less than a mid-level type salary. Plus Rich is a NYer.

Sign Aurilia NOW!

[smg58]

I'm not believing anything until it's official, but I have no problem bringing Valentin back as long as we also add somebody who can hit left-handed pitching.

[Centerfield]

smg58 wrote: I have no problem bringing Valentin back as long as we also add somebody who can hit left-handed pitching.

I'm cool as long as that somebody is Soriano.

[Guest iramets]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: They're still below what they paid for 2B last year when you consider Matsui's nut

I'd rather not consider either of Matsui's nuts, but thanks very much for putting that image in my head.

[smg58]

The Valentin deal is now official:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2659977

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

]Valentin was scheduled to have a physical Tuesday in New York, agent David Elston said. The deal, which would be finalized if Valentin passes the physical, includes an option for 2008 that could become guaranteed.

So it might be two more years of Jose.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: ]Valentin was scheduled to have a physical Tuesday in New York, agent David Elston said. The deal, which would be finalized if Valentin passes the physical, includes an option for 2008 that could become guaranteed. So it might be two more years of Jose.

Yabbut since it's incentive-based, he's only here for two years in the event he proves useful enough in year 1 to trigger a year 2.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

So what do you make of the attempt to land Lugo?

One the one hand, he's capable and (relatively) young, and we have no internal options to take over if Valentin tanks. It also makes Valentin a LH pinch hitter and we need one of those.

On the other, it makes the Valentin signing somewhat curious, and really squeezes Julio Franco (maybe he retires to coach third).

So maybe the Mets are dangling a hometown-dsicount/get a ring offer. Boston and the Cubs are also reportedly horny for Lugo and are probably more desperate for a 2B than us. Thoughts?

[metirish]

Well it would be a good move,Valentin to the bench,can he play first? he could become the super utility guy...Omar has long wanted Lugo,so the media says anyway.....

[Frayed Knot]

Boston - and prolly the Cubs - want him as a SS which was supposedly his preference.
Either he really likes the old hometown (born in the D.R. but rised in NYC, I was at a Met/Astro game when he played w/them and he had a big 'ol rooting section right near us) or the Mets are blowing other offers out of the water.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Well Lugo could be the RH 2Bman and the backup SS. But, yer right, doesn't look like he or Valentin would get the minutes they'd like.

assuming 14 position players:
C LoDuca (Castro)
1B Delgado (Franco/EasleyValentin)
2B Lugo/Valentin (Valentin/Lugo, Easley)
SS Reyes (Lugo/Easley)
3B Wright (Easley)
LF Alou (Chavez/Johnson/Easley/Valentin)
CF Beltran (Chavez/Johnson)
RF Green (Chavez/Johnson/Easley/Valentin)

Whom am I forgetting? Milledge could be in for Johnson

[Elster88]

Piazza as a backup catcher.

[Guest cleonjones11]

Lugo would probably play everyday..he's too good..Valentin takes Woowards role and more....On another note I'm getting the feeling Zito is going elsewhere..

[Guest Edgy DC]

Lugo, Easley, and Valentin doesn't make sense. None of them entered this offseason expecting to sign a deal where they'd have to fight for a big-league roster spot.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: Lugo, Easley, and Valentin doesn't make sense. None of them entered this offeseason especting to sign a deal where they'd have to fight for a big-league roster spot.

Which leads me to believe that if the Mets sign Lugo, another trade may be brewing. Easley (more likely because of his lower salary) or Valentin might go in a Joe Randa redux kind of move.

Later

[seawolf17]

Let's not get too worked up over Damion Easley. If the Mets have to cut him, they cut him or deal him for an A-level prospect. He's basically Joe McEwing; nice, but expendable.

I would love to see Piazza come back as a catcher, and then you keep Castro on the roster as a third catcher so you can use Piazza to PH.

The Cubs signed two second basemen already (Soriano and DeRosa), so Lugo wouldn't fit at second there. But I'd take him at second for us over Valentin.

[Guest sharpie]

I thought you weren't allowed to trade free agents til June 1 or something. Since all of the guys we've discussed signed as free agents, wouldn't we have to keep them all til then?

[seawolf17]

I think Sharpie's right, but if they decide to DFA him, then he's dealable, right?