No Options Left For Ruben Gotay

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.

Fernando Martinez Back To Minors

Fernando Martinez, among others, was sent back to the Mets minor league camp after the Indians game last night. He was hitting .340 this spring, but is still only 19 years old.

The move wasn’t surprising to most but it would be nice to see him get some time in the majors later this season. It wouldn’t do him any good to sit on the bench to start the season. He needs to play every day and he’ll get that in the minors.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Martinez has set a goal for himself to play in Queens this season.