Valdez traded to Reds for lefty reliever
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Valdez traded to Reds for lefty reliever
Daily News staff
Wilson Valdez spent the last two seasons with the Phillies. (AP File Photo)
The Phillies have traded versatile infielder Wilson Valdez to the Reds for lefthanded relief pitcher Jeremy Horst, according to general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.
Valdez, 33, spent the last 2 years with the Phillies, hitting .249 this past season with one home run and 30 RBI in 99 games. Valdez played second base, shortstop and third base for the Phillies and went 1-0 in one pitching appearance on May 25 against the Reds in that 19-inning game.
Horst, 26, made 12 relief appearances for the Reds last year and went 0-0 with a 2.93 ERA. He spent most of the season with Triple A Louisville, where he was 1-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 36 games. Opposing batters hit .219 against him.
The Phillies now have 38 players on their 40-man roster.
Comments (57)
Comment removed.- what a shame. valdez was the best shortstop on the club. not only did amaro not realize that, but he handed the second-best guy a ridiculously generous contract.
— zwarte piet - stupid comment. if you really think valdez is a better SS than rollins, you are dumber than everyone on here already thought you were. which is pretty shocking.
- I guess Mini Mart is here to stay!— SMOKEY811
- I hope that trade doesnt come back to bite them. He was a very versatile insurance policy for the infield and another good clubhouse guy. Thanks for the last 2 years Valdez. Good luck in the Reds organization.— PhillyFever
- does this mean more Michael Martinez?— coloradoeagle
- There goes any chance for a world series championship.— Vituperator
- Mikey Mart and Pete Orr are ecstatic. Or do I smell a trade for a third baseman?— eman
- With Valdez gone, who's going to ground into those double plays?— Vituperator
- But he was our best relief ptcher!— jimmymack
- Not sure if I like this.— BleedPhilly
- Say what you will but I agree with PhillyFever. He was a guy that played multi positions with good defense. On a team with aging fielders that tend to breakdown those guys are pretty valuable. I don't know anything about the lefty and I will drely to the scouts. However, I hope they get another swiss army knife for the infield.— NJStevieV
- Comment removed.
- The Reds got the better pitching prospect.— towman
- I guess that I am in the minority here, but this trade s**ks! Valdez played three infield positions flawlessly. His defense and arm at short are better than JRoll, who got a fresh, new multi year deal for his declining efforts. Wilson Valdez did a solid job for this ballclub, in a utilty role. The pitching staff had faith in him to make the plays. Ryan Theriot better be coming to town!— Seeing Red
- Dont like this trade. Valdez was too versatile in the infield. And you have to wonder like coloradoeagle said, Does this mean more Martinez?— LennyFromPhilly
- BOOOOOOOOOOOO!! We loved "Red Beard"— B.Woods
- I believe this deal was made so Galvis could have more of an opportunity if Jimmy goes down. That being said I really like this deal, a left hander with some major and minor league success. Great move by Ruben.— JST1331
- Given the age and injury histories of Polanco, Utley and Rollins, this is a bad move.
Valdez has been extremnely valuable the last two seasons. And Horst MAY succeed in the majors.— VicM - I loved Wilson for all the positions he could play well, including his one pitching appearance. I hope he gets an opportunity to shine as he was a wonderful utility player and a generally good guy in the clubhouse. I won't miss his ability to hit into double plays, but on the balance he will probably be missed. Good luck Wilson!— GHK
- I honestly do not believe Martinez makes this team. I would expect Ruben to find another utility player (bring someone into spring training on a minor league deal, etc). While Martinez was a super utility player, he did not hit much and I would not say he was a superb defender in any position. Valdez was nearly flawless in the field. Never saw a slider he did not like and hit into double plays constantly but did a nice job for this team over 2 years.— Back up the Bus for Gload and Bowker
- Valdez not only pitched and won the 19-inning game, his play helped keep the game tied when the Reds would have certainly won in extra innings. Brandon Phillips was on second with one out. Valdez noticed that Phillips strayed far off the bag. He gave J.C. Romero a sign, Romero gave an acknowledgement sign, and after his stretch, Romero wheeled, threw to Valdez covering and picked off Phillips. Phillips later apologized to his team, he knew that cost him the game. The next batter got a hit, which would have driven in Phillips. Wilson Valdez was a very useful utility guy, one with a lot of drive and heart for the game.— Cazptain Philadelphia
- Comment removed.
- yeah i dont know about this trade. his defense was as good as any of the starters. i guess theres more potential with a young guy but the deal is anything but a slamdunk— dreinterests
- So what pitcher do we have to bring in the 19th inning?
— rampage412 - So what pitcher do we have to bring in the 19th inning? (HTML deleted)— rampage412
- Martinez is no Wilson Valdez. The Phils badly need a multi position utility player. Valdez did a lot of things ell defensively, something that can't be said for Martinez.— richw38
- Finally Ruben is becoming a fiscal conservative. Going to save $1/2 million on the utility infield position. Maybe now he can afford an established eight inning set up guy. LOL!— Dull
- I guess JRoll can kiss that D-train reunion goodbye.— drbob1
- Gonna miss Valdez. He had great energy, and his average with RISP was great. Yes, he grounded into double plays, but when there was a guy on second or 3rd he got key hits.— realzoe
- Defensively, Valdez and Martinez are a toss up. Martinez was way better at 3B while Valdez edged Mini Mart slightly at SS and 2B. Martinez, in the other hand, seems to have more range and can also play the OF. He also is faster, younger, cheaper and a switch hitter. He was also a rookie, while Valdez at age 33 has been in the league for a while. So you can say, you have seen the best of Valdez. In the other hand Martinez could and should improve.— EL Zorro
- Comment removed.
- This is a BAD TRADE. Valdez was the consummate pro, with the versatility to play second, third and shortstop. Actually, he play a mean shortstop! Just an excellent shortstop. He didn't set the world on fire on offense, but I'd take his grit and heart at the plate over any of the remaining utility infielders on the squad, bar none.— 5NOT4
- El Zorro - Are you serious? Defensively, Martinez and Valdez are a "toss up" Really?!— 5NOT4
- Never seen a guy who could play so many positions so well. Not great hitting but timely. Like someone else said, "why go cheap now?"— schlippg
- Is this why they picked up Wigginton......to play all infield positions and not strike out and hit into doubleplays??????— recGUY
- The baffling off-season continues....— ijj
- Yes 5NOT4, 3B - Valdez .939 FP; MM .968; SS - V .956, MM. 950; - 2B - V .989, MM .979. As you see there is not much a difference. And you expect to Valdez to start declining at age 33 while MM was a rookie at age 28 last year. MM made a lot of great plays last year, including that running catch in CF in the last game of the season (I believed it was the last game) that saved the game.— EL Zorro
- Dusty Baker will bring him in for defense when Madson pitches.— sonnybuoy01
- wigginton also can't hit or run mediocre fielder he will make team better? valdez as was mentioned is older and slower than martinez who can also field and very acrobatic (remember the play down 3rd base near seats or the long drive to deep center field the last reg season series against braves)— only 9
- I agree with El Zorro. There's not a huge change defensively and MM can play a lot more positions. You factor in his added speed and youth and it could go either way. He needs to hit better. Maybe with more plate appearances. I also agree with some that this could be setting up another infield or bench move. And I like the LH relief pick-up. That was an area of weakness in 2011. They now have Horst, D-Train, Diekman and Savery who can compete for a LH bullpen role.— s
- Something is up here......could it be that Bastardo maybe is done before 2012 even started?...looks like Ruben HAD to go get a lefty arm for the BP to work in with Willis. Could another trade or signing be brewing? Looks that way from where I'm sitting. Wilson was a cool dude, a clutch performer and had a very good versatile glove.....he will be missed.
Cincy expects to contend this year with all their moves and they wanted to fill out their bench with a guy like Wilson. Why didn't they want to fill out their BP with a guy like Horst? Did we just get taken?— Mark1npt - Remember the Reds already picked up Madson. They also got LH reliever Sean Marshall in a trade with the Cubs. They already had a LH reliever in Bill Bray, plus a few down at the farm, including that flamethrower Chapman from Cuba who supposedly throws over 103 with regularity. So they could spare a guy like Horst. Marshall and Bray both had ERAs under 3 last year. Horst is lower in their system. He only started relieving in 2010 and saw his first major league games last year. Looking at his numbers he sounds like a control guy, not a power guy. — s
- I do not think I could stand one more at bat by Michael Martinez. RAJ--please say it isn't so.
— PortCity - Any chance they made this move to clear a spot for Cespedes?— Setdawgy
- RAJ NEEDS TO GO I HATE THIS TRADE SOOOOOO MUCH, I LOVE VALDEZ,S ARM, CAN PLAY 2ND SS OR 3B I DONT THINK PHILLIES WIN DIV LAST YEAR OR 2010 W/OUT HIM, THIS TRADE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— VANIMALS SWEATY GOGGLES
- Can't get rid of the Z players! Lineups were fun with Ruiz, Ibanez, Valdez, Martinez and whoever else.— burholme
- I for one will miss Wilson Valdez. He was a dependable fielder with a great arm, and enjoyable to watch. His hitting was maybe not a strong point, as he hit into double plays. But he did hit with runners in scoring position, and tried hard. The current alternatives (Orr, Martinez) are not as good. Unless this reliever is more than just another body, the Reds got the best of this one.— jerseyshorefan
- I hope Amaro is a good judge of Horst flesh.— dasher
- Valdez obviously becomes the Reds' backup closer in case this Madson guy doesn't pan out.— eman
- I suppose I'll get flak for this, but Michael Martnez has more value to
the Phillies than Valdez. He isn't as bad a fielder as some of you
suppose. He made some difficult plays at third base when called upon. He's done the same at other positions. Mike Schmidt, he's not, but he's a better fielder than one of the ballyhooed failures.— phineas - Hey who's gonna pitch the top of the Fifteenth inning for them this season?— Grapost
- WILSON!!!!!!!!!!!— CFA
I'll go with Seeing Red. When Valdez was playing SS everybody had confidence in the play being made. Hope the Phils aren't thinking about bringing Galvis up and burying him on the bench. Look for more 1st and 3rds this year.... Good Luck, Wilson!- UGH.. this is what happens when alot of the fanbase just started watching the team in 2008.. you get people who dont know baseball, yet think they do, and get attached to below average players who do ONE thing that sticks out and they love him forever.. Wilson Valdez is a dime a dozen, the league is full of them.. WOW he pitched in relief in a 19 inning game and made people laugh when he shook off Ruiz.. great memory, but big deal.. There is no need to keep martinez AND Valdez on this team.. and they made the right choice and kept the younger, faster, more versatile option.. Good minor move by RAJ... I'd still like to see an upgrade to 3rd and hopefully make it a power position again, but whatever..— sister mary francis
- Sets up trading Rollins and Bastardo to Mets for Wright! Galvis at short!— ginzo
- These "Dime a Dozen" comments ridicule what capabilities the Phils had in Valdez' worthiness. Fan favorite for his Bat, no? Fan favorite for his Glove, you bet? Fan favorite for his Heart, yep? Name me 11 other Players who bring a 4-position player with a .989 FA. Ever hear of Ivan De Jesus? Ask Carlton and Schmidt about Shortstops...— LuckyNucky
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