Jose, We Hardly Knew 'Ye

By Stefi Kaplan
Posted Monday, July 23, 2007

I had almost completed my column for this week when I saw Jose “Stache” Valentin hobble off the field. I realized I needed to pay him his farewell tribute, as I’m fairly convinced we will not see him in a Mets uniform (or maybe even a major league uniform) again. So I decided instead to take a look at Jose Valentin’s magical comeback and what he has been to the Mets.

I love to admit when I’m positively wrong about a baseball player (see my previous pieces on Endy Chavez and Johnny Maine). But never have I been quite as wrong about a player as I was about the 2006 version of Jose Valentin.

Jose commenced his major-league career in September 1992 as a shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers, but he didn’t really make a splash in the big leagues until he went to the White Sox in 2000. On the Brewers, Jose contributed mostly as an error-prone shortstop. On the White Sox, he switched back and forth between making errors at shortstop and third base, with an occasional outfield appearance mixed in. But since he hit over 25 homeruns in each of his five years with the White Sox, there was a certain level of tolerance for his poor defense. Then came his one-year stay with the Dodgers in 2005, where he hit an abysmal .170 with only two homeruns and a .265 slugging percentage. Of course, 2005 was an injury-ridden year for Jose, but that is just plain bad.

With such terrific statistics, it’s no wonder the Mets gave him a chance in 2006. Actually, truth be told, Jose had to beg his way into a one-year contract with the 2006 Mets. He was convinced he still had something left in the tank and gave his best sales pitch to Omar that he did. Ultimately, the Mets decided to give him the opportunity to prove it. Well, as we all know, that decision backfired immediately, as the 'Stache started out that year hitting .136 in April as a pinch hitter. I know I was clamoring for his release and I know I was not alone in that mentality. In fact, I don’t know that anyone had confidence in Jose other than possibly himself at that point, as I’m sure even Willie and Omar had secret doubts based on Jose’s previous year with the Dodgers.

Then the unthinkable happened: injuries landed Jose a spot in the starting lineup. I assumed the season was doomed at that point. Jose Valentin was starting at second base? I thought, “Well, we better hope the Braves have a ridiculous collapse this year if we want to make the playoffs!” (They did, by the way, in case you missed it.) But it wasn’t necessary. Jose Valentin would be our savior.

With increased playing time in the outfield and at second base, Jose finally began to find his swing again. And what a swing it was! Offensively, Jose amazed everyone, hitting .271 with 18 homeruns and 62 RBIs in 2006. And those numbers include his terrible start to the season. Eventually, Jose was so successful that the Mets were finally able to get rid of Kaz Matsui, a fan unfavorite who had shown a consistent inability to perform on the big stage of New York. But Jose, the king of errors earlier in his career, was to learn what was virtually a new position for the utility player. Despite playing full years at third base and shortstop and many appearances in the outfield over his career, Jose had not played second base since 1994, when he played only 18 games there and had 21 putouts.

So there he was, 12 years later, learning a new position as a youthful 36-year-old. And miraculously, Jose committed only six errors, the lowest number of his career. His defense in 2006 was sparkling and his chemistry with Reyes produced beautiful double-play combinations. In fact, having those two in the middle infield was a huge component of what made the 2006 Mets so exciting to watch.

Jose Valentin was without a doubt the comeback player of 2006. From most hated Met to fan favorite, Jose’s image did a complete 180 in the process. Jose also provided veteran leadership in a youthful clubhouse and was well-liked pretty much across the board. He even provided some comic relief, such as when he tried to complete an inside-the-park homerun and was nailed at the plate by his brother Javier. Was there anything Jose did not do last year?

All this from a guy who signed with the Mets for almost nothing. You have to respect the guy, who got to where he was completely through hard work and perseverance. And 2006 was a huge exclamation point on his career, which had been inconsistent due to injuries and poor defense. If Jose’s career ends with that ball he fouled off his foot last Friday, he will always be remembered for his magical 2006 comeback for the Mets.

Of course, Jose may return, either in the post-season (unlikely) or next year, for the Mets or another team. But the reality is that Jose was close to retiring prior to 2006. The guy has a fractured tibia and needs to have surgery on his knee. His option is clearly not going to vest this year, so it is not guaranteed that he will have a job with the Mets in 2008. And the job market may be tough on Jose because he is not a great utility bench player. Yes, he can play many positions, but Jose has shown he needs to play every day to be effective. He has tremendous talent, but he is not productive if he is not loose.

Will a team be willing to take a chance on him next year, when he is coming off of two major injuries at the age of 38 and will only succeed as an everyday player? Pretty much, it sounds like the risk the Mets took by signing him in 2006, but with an additional injury and two more years on him.

Plus, the Mets have a few second basemen sitting around waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves. Ruben Gotay has certainly impressed offensively over the past few months, but will need to improve upon his defense if he wants to be a starting second baseman in 2008. It remains to be seen whether Gotay can sustain this level of offensive play in the major leagues, but he sure has looked good so far. Damion Easley has been a great back-up second baseman and unlike Jose Valentin, he shines as a pinch hitter. Finally, Anderson Hernandez has been having greater success hitting in the minors this year and we all know that if he can manage to hit .250 in the majors, he could be the answer for second base due to his superior defense. With all of those options, there simply does not seem to be a place for Jose Valentin to get the playing time he requires to stay fresh. I simply can’t see the Mets taking a chance on him next year.

So, as much as it pains me to say it, I think this is goodbye, Jose. You defied reason and impressed us greatly in your brief period of success as a Met and we thank you for that. You have given the fans many great memories. Best of luck in your healing process(es) and future endeavors. But for now, Let’s Go-tay!