With depth, Valdez becomes expendable
That Wilson Valdez started 162 games over the previous two seasons only demonstrated the Phillies' need for a durable backup to an aging infield.
With depth, Valdez becomes expendable
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
That Wilson Valdez started 162 games over the previous two seasons only demonstrated the Phillies' need for a durable backup to an aging infield.
But the Phillies dealt Valdez to Cincinnati for lefthander Jeremy Horst on Wednesday because they believe they have enough cheaper options to fill that role.
"We decided we were comfortable with the guys we had," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said by phone. "At the same time he had value for us. He served a pretty valuable role for us. But generally, we felt like we had coverage in that area."
That coverage will start with Michael Martinez, who appeared in 88 games last season and hit .196. Amaro mentioned Freddy Galvis, a top infield prospect, as someone who could ultimately provide depth. And the team has signed Pete Orr, Kevin Frandsen and Hector Luna to minor-league deals.
All of them are cheaper than Valdez, who signed a one-year, $930,000 deal earlier this month.
Amaro said he expects Galvis to play every day at triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin the season. But now that Jimmy Rollins is under contract through at least 2014 and Chase Utley is at second through 2013, Galvis' current path to the majors is in a reserve role (barring injury).
"Once we signed Jimmy, we felt like we have three shortstop options in Martinez, Galvis and Valdez," Amaro said. "So we felt OK and comfortable enough to go ahead an move Valdez."
Valdez will forever be remembered in Phillies' lore for being the winning pitcher in the 19-inning game against Cincinnati. He was the first player to start a game in the field and win it as pitcher since Babe Ruth in 1921.
Amaro said Horst will be invited to camp as a non-roster player and compete for a job as a lefthander in the bullpen. In 12 games with Cincinnati, the 26-year-old posted a 2.93 ERA. Lefties had a .988 OPS against him in 22 plate appearances.
"Our reports on him is the guy had a chance to get lefties out," Amaro said, "and we'll throw him in the mix."
That mix includes Dontrelle Willis, who is on a non-guaranteed deal, Joe Savery, Jake Diekman and Raul Valdes.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Martinez will be back? WTF. Is Roseman now a consultant for the Phillies? Mr. 190 coming off the bench. Wonderful just flippin wonderful.— Honeybadger Dont Care- Something else is in the works, for pre-season or mid-season. A team that spent $50 million on a closer, $33 million on a 33-year-old shortstop and is entering a $125 million, 5-year period on a declining first baseman doesn't make a move like this to save $300,000 in a single year. That's like you and me switching cleats so we can save $1.29.— eman
- downgrade to save around 1/50th of Ryan Howard's salary. Doesn't seem worth it.— boomartin
- color me dumb: i really, really, really don't understand amaro's philosophy. forks out 125 mill to a guy's been downgrading year by year; pays 50 mill to a closer who as well has been slipping past couple years. now trades his top infield backup - wv started 162 games past two years? doesn't that say it all re the guy's value? - coz $930,000 is too much and the job can be done cheaper by a guy who is far inferior. meshuga.— bubba church & granny hamner
- That was a dumb move. He has been the MVP off the bench the last two year. Martinez sucks!!— NitnyLion
- Why they trade Valdez, he has a great arm, and is a very good defensive player. Martinez stinks hit .190 they better find a better bench player. Rollins is allways good for an injury they could be in big trouble, also with Utley's injuries not good. Hope they find a better utility player.
— btsucceed - huge mistake .... Palanco will always miss alot of games ..
Martinez is marginal at best— anthemra - Wilson, we hardly knew ye...
We'll miss watching him fire that ball from third or short or second, practically ripping the first sacker's glove off. Some clutch hits, too. Cincy's gain. Hope this pitcher can actually get guys out.— Eephus - Cannot see RAJ's rationale for moving Valdez...trading the most versatile infielder on the team for a non-roster invitee LHP who "can get lefties out" to the tune of a .988 OPS? Especially considering all of the time he got at all 3 infield spots with injuries to J-Roll, Utley and Polly this makes no sense!
Martinez is not a major leaguer and could have used a full season at AAA to get regular AB's and see if he could perform on a daily basis, not be their first infield option off the bench.
— Colonel Angus - Not a big deal in the end but I loved Valdez's arm which is a cannon. If Jimmy goes down, we may really miss him. This shows me that Amaro is trying to clear up room to not have to pay the lux tax but still have some flexibility to make a move or 2 if necessary.— MDefl
- So lemme get this straight. They traded a 33-year old borderline major leaguer for a 26-year old borderline major leaguer?
Outrageous!— schmenkman - Amaro is becoming colllector of no talented players. Martinez and Orr could not make any Major team roster.— tulsaphil
- actually this is the "best" move Rube made all winter (the only one that can't be criticized)--getting anything of value for Valdez is a no-brainer (as proven by the fact that it was made by a guy with little or no brains)— warbiscuit
- though i usually agree with bubba and granny, who think the Phils may miss Valdez, so maybe I"ll switch to "undecided" on this one.. as I do find it hard to believe that rube would even accidentally actually do anything that would work out for the best long-term (other than the Mayberry trade which of course was pure luck and Mayberry was given an opportunity only despite rube's constant efforts to keep him buried)— warbiscuit
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