Tag: Ruben Gotay

Roster Moves: Down to 25 Players

New York Mets pitcher Michael Pelfrey before a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.Image from Wikipedia

Updated: March 31, 2008

Here’s a breakdown of the moves that the Mets made today to get down to 25:

  1. Raul Casanova made the major league team
  2. Brady Clark made the major league team- he also changed his number to 44
  3. Ramon Castro was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21
  4. Duaner Sanchez was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27
  5. Orlando Hernandez was placed on the 15 day disabled list retroactive to March 29
  6. Brian Stokes was designated for assignment
  7. Fernando Tatis was sent to minor league camp for reassignment
  8. Ricardo Rincon was sent to minor league camp for reassignment
  9. Nelson Figueroa was sent to minor league camp for reassignment

Mike Pelfrey gets the fifth starter spot but they won’t need him until April 12th. I would guess that he’ll get some long work in the bullpen until then to see if he can establish some consistency before they need a fifth starter. El Duque could even be back to make that start if Pelfrey continues his shaky performances from the spring.

I’m glad that Fernando Tatis didn’t make the team. I just don’t see that he adds value especially after losing Ruben Gotay. I really liked Gotay and thought he could make a contribution. He’s going to come back to bite the Mets with a big hit at some point this season.

Roster Moves: Gotay, Register, and Hernandez

The Mets announced that Ruben Gotay was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Steve Register was returned to the Colorado Rockies and Anderson Hernandez was assigned to Triple-A.

I’m sorry to see Gotay go and Fernando Tatis make the team. I think the Mets will regret that move as the season goes on. Apparently, the Braves felt that Gotay would make the major league team since he’s out of options.

Ruben Gotay On Waivers

Ruben Gotay joins Steve Register on waivers. It’s hard to believe that the Mets like Fernando Tatis for a utility role over Gotay. He was clearly upset by the news as reported by MLB.com:

“I thought I did a good job last year,” Gotay told multiple news outlets, including the New York Post and Daily News, on Thursday morning. “I didn’t deserve this.”

I like Gotay and think he had good potential. Hopefully, he’ll get picked up and have a chance to make a contribution with another team. If not, maybe he’ll be back in the minors for the Mets.

Tatis’ career is very checkered. He didn’t play in the majors in 2004-2005, and 2007. This move really puzzles me. I hope Omar Minaya knows something that I don’t.

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.