Comments on: Reds acquire utility man Wilson Valdez from Phillies

By: greymares

greymares — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:04:20 +0000

I smell a new third baseman on the horizon with Polanco backing up 2nd and 3rd and Martinez at short and back-up centerfielder.

By: bjavie

bjavie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:27:58 +0000

RAJ played on those 1990′s teams that always complained they didn’t have the pitching (even in ’93). Now that he controls it, that’s all he cares about.

By: bjavie

bjavie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:26:20 +0000

You mean as their everyday third baseman for 60 games of the year, second baseman for 40 games and shortstop for 20 games. Mark it down – us Phillies fans will look back on 2012 and wonder why the team didn’t do more to get a quality back-up infielder since Mike Martinez is going to get almost a full year’s worth of playing time.

By: threeskis

threeskis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:25:16 +0000

Wigginton will play 3rd when Polanco needs a rest or eventually goes to the DL and Martinez will spell Utley and Rollins in the middle IF positions. More valuable than Valdez as he has speed and switch hits.

By: mox19380

mox19380 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:23:45 +0000

We should assume people are thumbs downing the option of Martinez vs Valdez rather than your comment…

This is an interesting move considering none of our infielders have had a healthy season since 2009. This should give Freddy Galvis a better chance to be called up in the event of injury BUT it continues the odd trend of the Phillies bulking up on pitching while their offensive remains on the decline (stagnant at best)

By: pkswally024

pkswally024 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:51:43 +0000

He’s got one of the best fielding arms in the game. Check it

By: metalhead65

metalhead65 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:32:19 +0000

one of those 2 new will be the starting shortstop the first time cozart has a couple of ofers at the plate. unlike stubbs who strikes out every at bat dusty will sit him and go with the veterans. I am just amazed walt could not find any washed up former cards to fill the role.

By: xmatt0926x

xmatt0926x — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:04:36 +0000

this guy is a double-play machine. You know it’sbad when the announcers, who typically never rip their own teams players, consistently rip him for hitting into double plays. It’s the first thing Sarge Matthews brings up whenever Valdez comes up with a man on 1st. It’s uncanny.

By: crisisjunky

crisisjunky — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:17:22 +0000

yeah, just another Dusty enabler……innings eater takes on a whole new meaning.
It’s these guys whose innings will be digested. Hopefully if healthy as expected, it won’t be
at Cozart’s expense as well.

By: sasquash20

sasquash20 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:47:06 +0000

Your right about that. He has had a few clutch hits the last couple of seasons. Guy is a solid utility guy. Solid fielder, bench bat. I don’t understand why the Phillies made this move. Utley, Polanco, and Rollins have all missed a lot of time the last several seasons. I don’t want to say that they will get hurt but based on the past, one would think that they all will miss time. You need good utility fielders when you have the arms the phillies have. If Martinez has some errors Doc might crush his skull.

By: metalhead65

metalhead65 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:36:34 +0000

with this deal for yet another “veteran” that dusty loves the young utility guys the reds gave a very brief look at last year can kiss the majors goodbye. Todd Frazier and Chris Valakia we hardly you knew ya.

By: rexadelphia8

rexadelphia8 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:30:24 +0000

He’s clutch a lot of times. Your lucky to have him

By: trevorb06

trevorb06 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:15:36 +0000

Hey hey hey! Come on! My Twins weren’t NEARLY that good last season!

By: illcomm

illcomm — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:13:01 +0000

He does have a knack for coming thru in the clutch. most people notice all the DPs he hits into. Solid defender too.

By: areyesrn

areyesrn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:01:29 +0000

not sure of the stats, but I remember him occasionally coming through in the clutch during the regular season…

By: mojosmagic

mojosmagic — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:50:16 +0000

Hey Valdez is a great pickup if you need somebody to pitch the 18th inning.

By: professor59

professor59 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:49:56 +0000

Can’t hit or run, but plays every position. How did LaRussa not grab this guy?

Seriously, the Phillies went to several pitchers to pinch-run before him, and could have realistically sent several pitchers up to hit before him, too.

By: mdpickles

mdpickles — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:45:32 +0000

Utility man doesn’t give this man justice.. He can also pitch too!

By: rooney24

rooney24 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:28:58 +0000

Just .254/.301/.351? By the end of last season, that might have placed him in the heart of the Twins lineup. Man, I hope they don’t suck so badly this season…. Spring Training – the time for optimism for every team!!

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:28:57 +0000

Watch out Cinci, he’s a double play waiting to happen. Pretty good defender though.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:24:52 +0000

Hmm… it sounds like the Phillies are going to with Michael Martinez as their utility infielder…