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5 Reasons Why New York Mets Should DFA Jordany Valdespin
5 Reasons Why The New York Mets Should DFA Jordany Valdespin
It’s time for Jordany Valespin's tenure with the New York Mets to end. It’s been a long and winding road for the troubled but talented Valdespin, but there’s no longer a reason for him to be a part of the organization. On Saturday, the Mets optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas, but instead of sending him to the minors, the Mets should just go ahead and release him from the organization once and for all.
Valdespin has truly had a whirlwind career with the Mets since he was signed as an international free agent in 2007. The Mets have always raved about the talent he possesses, but they’ve also been frustrated with his attitude and behavior. He hasn’t always had the best work ethic through his time in the minors. He’s had difficulty getting along with teammates and manager, lacked focus on the field and he’s been an unpredictable force in the clubhouse.
Valdespin's latest stunt was a temper tantrum he threw in the clubhouse after finding out he was being sent to the minors, which is unacceptable for any player, especially one with a batting average of .188. Valdespin is simply not the kind of player or person the Mets need in their organization. He’s stuck along for so long because he’s too talented to get rid of, but his issues are too public for him to have value in a trade.
Regardless of how talented he might be, or the potential he may possess, it’s time for the Mets to part ways with him even if it means getting nothing in return — and here are five reasons why:
The Mets Have Much Better Center Fielders
Valdespin didn’t convert to an outfielder until 2012, but he’s taken well to the position because of his athleticism. Center field seems to be where he’s most comfortable, but there doesn’t appear to be a lot of playing time available for him there. The Mets have done well with Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Juan Lagares playing center field, and they also have Eric Young Jr. in the picture, as well as prospect Matt den Dekker — all of whom are better options than Valdespin.
He's Not An Option At Second Base
Valdespin is a natural middle infielder, but since coming to the big leagues, Mets manager Terry Collins hasn’t trusted him enough defensively to play at second base on a regular basis or shortstop at all. When Ike Davis was sent to the minors earlier this year, Valdespin got a chance to play second base for a week with Daniel Murphy moving to first base, but he failed miserably at that opportunity, and another one isn’t likely to present itself any time soon with Murphy playing every day there, and top prospect Wilmer Flores playing the position in Triple-A.
He's Not A Good Bench Player
Valdespin got a lot of notoriety last season and early this season for his pinch-hit home runs in big spots, but aside from those brief and sporadic moments of brilliance, Valdespin has been a horrible pinch-hitter. The Mets don’t view him as a starter, so if he can’t be a productive pinch-hitter, which hasn’t been the case over the past two months, then the Mets have no use for him.
He's Not A Team Player
After being suspended multiple times during his minor-league career, Valdespin still shows no signs of maturity. Even after all this time, everything is about him and not the team. If the Mets are going to turn things around and be a competitive team in the years to come, they’re going to need 25 guys on the same page trying to accomplish that, not 24. Valdespin has had more than enough opportunities, but it just doesn’t seem like he’s ever going to put the team before himself, and the Mets shouldn’t keep players like that.
He Called His Manager A Bad Word (Allegedly)
After being told he was being demoted to the minors, Valdespin went on a tirade in the clubhouse and allegedly called manager Terry Collins one of the seven words George Carlin told us you can’t say on television. This should be the last straw for the Mets. No matter the situation, showing such disrespect for your manager is unacceptable, and a player with Valdespin’s history makes him undeserving of a second chance. The only thing Valdespin deserves is a one-way ticket out of town, where he can become somebody else’s headache.
