Ruben Gotay will either make the major league team or have to clear waivers to be sent down. I doubt that he would clear waivers. The Baseball Analysts report on the biggest names in baseball that are on the bubble to make their teams and are without options.
I think that Gotay will make the team. Jose Valentin doesn’t bring that much to the table anymore and he has a neck injury that may require surgery. The surgery is potentially career ending.
Comparison: Gotay vs. Valentin
Gotay [25 years old]- 98 games .295/.351/.421 3 SB 3 CS 4 HR 24 RBI 25 Runs 190 AB 42 SO
Valentin- [38 years old]- 51 games .241/.302/.373 2 SB 1 CS 3 HR 18 RBI 18 Runs 166 AB 28 SO
Gotay is marginally the better offensive player. Valentin has been in decline since he left the White Sox after the 2004 season. I don’t give much credence to Valentin being a veteran/coach on the team. The Mets are a veteran team that really don’t need that. If we were talking about the Marlins, I think the veteran/coach role would have more value.
Valentin should start the season on the DL with his neck injury. So the Mets won’t be forced to make a decision immediately. The decision to keep Gotay on the roster is obvious to me.
The Mets Report 