Kitten for Sale

[Guest Edgy DC]

Ben Shpigel of the Times does a profile of the last MEt off the bench.

Journeyman Gives Mets Insurance at Shortstop

By BEN SHPIGEL

Published: May 27, 2009

As a slick-fielding 15-year-old, Wilson Valdez reminded his friends of another smooth shortstop from the Dominican Republic: Felix Fermin, whose nickname was El Gato, Spanish for the Cat. A nickname was born for Valdez: El Gatito � the Kitten.

Wilson Valdez was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate when the Mets obtained him.

�I�m proud of it,� Valdez said.

That moniker has followed Valdez from stop to stop over a long and, for the most part, undistinguished professional career, which has taken him to the Mets after a trade with Cleveland on Tuesday. Playing in 111 games for four teams � he has been a member of 10 organizations � Valdez has a lifetime .211 batting average with one home run. He has not played in the major leagues since 2007. But he has relished the role of El Gatito throughout, filling in capably for the injured Rafael Furcal in 2007. The Mets acquired Valdez, who was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate, for a similar reason.

�I know my strength is defense, and I know they needed a middle infielder,� the 31-year-old Valdez said before Wednesday�s game against the Washington Nationals. �I�m just happy to do whatever I can for the team.�

How long Valdez remains with the Mets is linked to the returns of Alex Cora (thumb ligament) and Jose Reyes (tendinitis behind the right calf) from the disabled list. The Mets are optimistic that both players will return as soon their stays are scheduled to end: June 2 for Cora and June 5 for Reyes.

As it happens, the Mets� need for a capable middle infielder is far less dire than it was just last Friday, when Ramon Martinez had his second two-error game in two starts. Martinez and Luis Castillo have developed continuity up the middle, and Manager Jerry Manuel said he probably will not start Valdez until Saturday afternoon against the Florida Marlins.

�Those guys are now playing very well in the middle, and I�d like to keep them out there,� Manuel said. �I don�t feel as if we have to find out at this point� about Valdez.

Manuel added: �From what I understand, he�s a very good defensive player. Looking at his bio, he has some history of hitting a little bit, and there�s been some history where he hasn�t hit.�

That bio includes playing in South Korea and Japan in 2008.

Much to his dismay, in January 2008 the Los Angeles Dodgers sold him to the Kia Tigers, and he played four months in Korea before joining the Yakult Swallows.

His wife, Kamie, and son, Wilson, spent much of the year at their home in Albuquerque.

�It was uncomfortable going so far away when it wasn�t my choice,� Valdez said. �I�m much happier back here playing in the United States.�

Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval?

[soupcan]

="Edgy DC":24vyn41o]Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval?[/quote:24vyn41o] Didn't the Mets do that with someone...? Matt Franco maybe?

metirish May 28 2009 10:01 AM

I guess if your name is Wilson Valdez it can be. I don't imagine Carlos Beltran needs to worry about that happening.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 10:02 AM

I know they've sold guys overseas, but I guess I figured it was with the player's consent. This seems to be another version of the reality that minor leaguers (guys not protected by the general agreement) have no rights. He probably could have refused the assignment (he's not a slave), but feared he'd be relaeased and blacklisted if he did.

metirish May 28 2009 10:07 AM

Don't want to sidetrack this but Ron Darling mentioned this exchange during the game with Valdez Ron " Hi Wilson I'm Ron Darling" Wilson - blank look " ummm" Ron said it was humbling that Wilson didn't know who he was.

Frayed Knot May 28 2009 10:11 AM

Yeah, I think it's a case of: 'we can't use you and couldn't find any other club on this continent who could -- so we sold you to this Korean outfit and you can either play there for a guaranteed paycheck or get cut and look for work on your own'.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 10:13 AM

But as a minor leaguer, he wouldn't even collect the rest of his annual salary if he went for option B, right?

Frayed Knot May 28 2009 10:16 AM

Would depend on his exact status at the time and at what point in the year he was cut. Some cuts earn guys just 30 days pay and 30 days a minor league pay ain't much, making the Korean option look all that much better even if not quite mandatory.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 10:26 AM

That sucks is what I'm saying. His visa is at stake also. I met a minor leaguer who told me of a friend who got hurt, got a diagnosis that put him out for the season, worked his ass off to get back by August, pitched five solid innings in his debut, and got back to his locker to find a pink slip. They weren't allowed to release him while he was hurt, so he ended up screwing himself by working so hard, because it just allowed them to cut him earlier. I guess the upside is that the money's better in the civilian world. I met these folks on the LIRR. They were convinced that, if major leaguers make millions, surely minor leaguers make hundreds of thousands. But after their bonuses, all they see is chump change until they make a big league roster. And outside of the lucky few, most bonuses won't get you very far either --- enough for a car and the rest goes to your parents.

Fman99 May 28 2009 10:34 AM Re: Kitten for Sale

="Edgy DC"]Ben Shpigel of the Times does a profile of the last MEt off the bench. Journeyman Gives Mets Insurance at Shortstop By BEN SHPIGEL Published: May 27, 2009 As a slick-fielding 15-year-old, Wilson Valdez reminded his friends of another smooth shortstop from the Dominican Republic: Felix Fermin, whose nickname was El Gato, Spanish for the Cat. A nickname was born for Valdez: El Gatito � the Kitten. Wilson Valdez was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate when the Mets obtained him. �I�m proud of it,� Valdez said. That moniker has followed Valdez from stop to stop over a long and, for the most part, undistinguished professional career, which has taken him to the Mets after a trade with Cleveland on Tuesday. Playing in 111 games for four teams � he has been a member of 10 organizations � Valdez has a lifetime .211 batting average with one home run. He has not played in the major leagues since 2007. But he has relished the role of El Gatito throughout, filling in capably for the injured Rafael Furcal in 2007. The Mets acquired Valdez, who was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate, for a similar reason. �I know my strength is defense, and I know they needed a middle infielder,� the 31-year-old Valdez said before Wednesday�s game against the Washington Nationals. �I�m just happy to do whatever I can for the team.� How long Valdez remains with the Mets is linked to the returns of Alex Cora (thumb ligament) and Jose Reyes (tendinitis behind the right calf) from the disabled list. The Mets are optimistic that both players will return as soon their stays are scheduled to end: June 2 for Cora and June 5 for Reyes. As it happens, the Mets� need for a capable middle infielder is far less dire than it was just last Friday, when Ramon Martinez had his second two-error game in two starts. Martinez and Luis Castillo have developed continuity up the middle, and Manager Jerry Manuel said he probably will not start Valdez until Saturday afternoon against the Florida Marlins. �Those guys are now playing very well in the middle, and I�d like to keep them out there,� Manuel said. �I don�t feel as if we have to find out at this point� about Valdez. Manuel added: �From what I understand, he�s a very good defensive player. Looking at his bio, he has some history of hitting a little bit, and there�s been some history where he hasn�t hit.� That bio includes playing in South Korea and Japan in 2008. Much to his dismay, in January 2008 the Los Angeles Dodgers sold him to the Kia Tigers, and he played four months in Korea before joining the Yakult Swallows. His wife, Kamie, and son, Wilson, spent much of the year at their home in Albuquerque. �It was uncomfortable going so far away when it wasn�t my choice,� Valdez said. �I�m much happier back here playing in the United States.� Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval? If I was a woman I would use Yakult Swallows as my porn star name.

duan May 28 2009 10:39 AM I know I've gone on about it in the past

but I can NEVER understand how people are so morally ambivalent about the way the whole contract system in MLB is from an ethical standpoint, and yeah I know the guys at the top get loads of money, but that doesn't make it ok.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 10:45 AM

Yeah, I'm saying more or less the same. I think it's part ignorance and part petty jealousy. ("They get played to play baseball! Why should they complain if they get traded?") Curt Flood is a hero, and it needs to be remembered that his initial objection wasn't over salary but getting traded.

duan May 28 2009 10:48 AM

yeah, I know you have been banging the same drum.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 11:35 AM

I also want to add that fan criticism of players like Peavy or Barry Larkin who exercise hard-won rights to refuse trade assignments is woefully misplaced. As is criticism of J.D. Drew for not wanting to sign with the team who drafted him.

metsguyinmichigan May 28 2009 01:44 PM

I think we sold Felix Millan's contract to a Japanese team when they broke up the team in the 1970s.

TheOldMole May 28 2009 03:10 PM

This is my beef with the union. They seem to be all about protecting the superstars, not the little guy.

Edgy DC May 28 2009 06:55 PM

Explicitly un-interested in expanding to include minor leaguers.

Willets Point May 28 2009 08:27 PM

The first thing that I thought when I saw the subject was that John Rocker was moving. Then again, he'd probably just shoot the kitten.

Rockin' Doc May 28 2009 08:53 PM

A kitten would be safe with Rocker, he appears rather fond of them. It's people, particularly those that aren't like him, that Rocker doesn't seem to like.

themetfairy May 28 2009 08:57 PM

Triple Dee May 29 2009 04:44 AM Re: Kitten for Sale

="soupcan":1vjgs45i] ="Edgy DC":1vjgs45i]Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval?[/quote:1vjgs45i] Didn't the Mets do that with someone...? Matt Franco maybe?[/quote:1vjgs45i] Kyle Kendrick thought it happened to him once.

[metirish]

I guess if your name is Wilson Valdez it can be. I don't imagine Carlos Beltran needs to worry about that happening.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I know they've sold guys overseas, but I guess I figured it was with the player's consent.

This seems to be another version of the reality that minor leaguers (guys not protected by the general agreement) have no rights. He probably could have refused the assignment (he's not a slave), but feared he'd be relaeased and blacklisted if he did.

[metirish]

Don't want to sidetrack this but Ron Darling mentioned this exchange during the game with Valdez


Ron " Hi Wilson I'm Ron Darling"

Wilson - blank look " ummm"

Ron said it was humbling that Wilson didn't know who he was.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, I think it's a case of: 'we can't use you and couldn't find any other club on this continent who could -- so we sold you to this Korean outfit and you can either play there for a guaranteed paycheck or get cut and look for work on your own'.

[Guest Edgy DC]

But as a minor leaguer, he wouldn't even collect the rest of his annual salary if he went for option B, right?

[Frayed Knot]

Would depend on his exact status at the time and at what point in the year he was cut. Some cuts earn guys just 30 days pay and 30 days a minor league pay ain't much, making the Korean option look all that much better even if not quite mandatory.

[Guest Edgy DC]

That sucks is what I'm saying. His visa is at stake also.

I met a minor leaguer who told me of a friend who got hurt, got a diagnosis that put him out for the season, worked his ass off to get back by August, pitched five solid innings in his debut, and got back to his locker to find a pink slip. They weren't allowed to release him while he was hurt, so he ended up screwing himself by working so hard, because it just allowed them to cut him earlier.

I guess the upside is that the money's better in the civilian world.

I met these folks on the LIRR. They were convinced that, if major leaguers make millions, surely minor leaguers make hundreds of thousands. But after their bonuses, all they see is chump change until they make a big league roster. And outside of the lucky few, most bonuses won't get you very far either --- enough for a car and the rest goes to your parents.

[Fman99]

="Edgy DC"]Ben Shpigel of the Times does a profile of the last MEt off the bench. Journeyman Gives Mets Insurance at Shortstop By BEN SHPIGEL Published: May 27, 2009 As a slick-fielding 15-year-old, Wilson Valdez reminded his friends of another smooth shortstop from the Dominican Republic: Felix Fermin, whose nickname was El Gato, Spanish for the Cat. A nickname was born for Valdez: El Gatito � the Kitten. Wilson Valdez was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate when the Mets obtained him. �I�m proud of it,� Valdez said. That moniker has followed Valdez from stop to stop over a long and, for the most part, undistinguished professional career, which has taken him to the Mets after a trade with Cleveland on Tuesday. Playing in 111 games for four teams � he has been a member of 10 organizations � Valdez has a lifetime .211 batting average with one home run. He has not played in the major leagues since 2007. But he has relished the role of El Gatito throughout, filling in capably for the injured Rafael Furcal in 2007. The Mets acquired Valdez, who was hitting .198 for the Indians� Class AAA affiliate, for a similar reason. �I know my strength is defense, and I know they needed a middle infielder,� the 31-year-old Valdez said before Wednesday�s game against the Washington Nationals. �I�m just happy to do whatever I can for the team.� How long Valdez remains with the Mets is linked to the returns of Alex Cora (thumb ligament) and Jose Reyes (tendinitis behind the right calf) from the disabled list. The Mets are optimistic that both players will return as soon their stays are scheduled to end: June 2 for Cora and June 5 for Reyes. As it happens, the Mets� need for a capable middle infielder is far less dire than it was just last Friday, when Ramon Martinez had his second two-error game in two starts. Martinez and Luis Castillo have developed continuity up the middle, and Manager Jerry Manuel said he probably will not start Valdez until Saturday afternoon against the Florida Marlins. �Those guys are now playing very well in the middle, and I�d like to keep them out there,� Manuel said. �I don�t feel as if we have to find out at this point� about Valdez. Manuel added: �From what I understand, he�s a very good defensive player. Looking at his bio, he has some history of hitting a little bit, and there�s been some history where he hasn�t hit.� That bio includes playing in South Korea and Japan in 2008. Much to his dismay, in January 2008 the Los Angeles Dodgers sold him to the Kia Tigers, and he played four months in Korea before joining the Yakult Swallows. His wife, Kamie, and son, Wilson, spent much of the year at their home in Albuquerque. �It was uncomfortable going so far away when it wasn�t my choice,� Valdez said. �I�m much happier back here playing in the United States.� Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval?

If I was a woman I would use Yakult Swallows as my porn star name.

[duan]

but I can NEVER understand how people are so morally ambivalent about the way the whole contract system in MLB is from an ethical standpoint, and yeah I know the guys at the top get loads of money, but that doesn't make it ok.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, I'm saying more or less the same.

I think it's part ignorance and part petty jealousy. ("They get played to play baseball! Why should they complain if they get traded?") Curt Flood is a hero, and it needs to be remembered that his initial objection wasn't over salary but getting traded.

[duan]

yeah, I know you have been banging the same drum.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I also want to add that fan criticism of players like Peavy or Barry Larkin who exercise hard-won rights to refuse trade assignments is woefully misplaced. As is criticism of J.D. Drew for not wanting to sign with the team who drafted him.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

I think we sold Felix Millan's contract to a Japanese team when they broke up the team in the 1970s.

[Theoldmole]

This is my beef with the union. They seem to be all about protecting the superstars, not the little guy.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Explicitly un-interested in expanding to include minor leaguers.

[Willets Point]

The first thing that I thought when I saw the subject was that John Rocker was moving. Then again, he'd probably just shoot the kitten.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

A kitten would be safe with Rocker, he appears rather fond of them. It's people, particularly those that aren't like him, that Rocker doesn't seem to like.

[Guest themetfairy]

[Guest Triple Dee]

="soupcan":1vjgs45i] ="Edgy DC":1vjgs45i]Your contract can be sold overseas without your approval?[/quote:1vjgs45i] Didn't the Mets do that with someone...? Matt Franco maybe?[/quote:1vjgs45i] Kyle Kendrick thought it happened to him once.