Photos By: Franciney Horodyski

Photos By: Franciney Horodyski

What Should the Mets Do with Jordany Valdespin?

Written By Tim Horodyski

With the disappointed 2012 season behind them, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson and his brain trust have a big job ahead of them.  They are in charge of remaking a team that played well in the first half and collapsed the second half.  As they ponder the future of the club one question they will have to answer is what to do with Jordany Valdespin?

 Valdespin has shown he can come off the bench and provide clutch hits.  His first Major League hit was a pinch hit three-run homerun off of Philadelphia Phillies Closer Jonathan Papelbon.  He now holds the Mets record for pinch hit home runs, and he has done it in less than half a season.  "I've always thought one of the things he {Valdespin} always has created, by putting him in the game at certain times, he has the chance to do some damage, and he's done that," said Mets Manager Terry Collins in a mets.com report.  Talking about Valdespin’s pinch hits success, Collins said, “He’s aggressive, takes a big swing, he’s got it squared-up pretty good.” Though Valdespin has succeeded off the bench for the Mets, Valdespin has much more talent than to just be used as a pinch hit specialist. 

 “Valdespin has a world of talent, his skills are off the chart” Collins said.  Valdespin has shown to have some power, some speed, he has shown to be fearless, and he has shown be very aggressive at the plate.  Baseball America ranked him eleventh among Mets prospects coming into the season.  Valdespin’s natural position is second base; however he has also played all three outfield positions.  “… Valdespin even caught a bullpen…” said Collins.

With less than 200 at bats at the Major League level it’s hard to make any judgment on the young Valdespin.  With 191 at bats he hit .241 with 8 homeruns and 46 hits.   With questions if Andres Torres will be back with the team, may open up a position for Valdespin in Centerfield.  With Jason Bay no longer with the Mets, leftfield is open to Valdespin. Another option could be in the infield. Valdespin’s fate may lay with Daniel Murphy.  If the Mets give the starting job at second to Murphy then the only spot for Valdespin is the bench or the minor leagues.  One direction the Mets may take is to have Murphy and Valdespin battle for the second baseman’s job during Spring Training.

The Mets have Valdespin playing second base and right field in the Dominican Winter League. On Sunday November 4^th Valdespin left a game with a foot injury he suffered on a double play.  Reports from Winter League indicates that Valdespin become more patient at the plate.  The 24-year old had clearly worked hard on seeing more pitches; he has ten walks through 16 games.

Alderson and company have many questions to answer including what to do with Valdespin.  The team’s plans may become clearer as the winter meeting began December 3 in Nashville Tennessee.