Mets Retain Jose Valentin

According to the New York Post, the Mets have re-signed second baseman Jose Valentin for 2007 and a vesting option for 2008.  Valentin will make at least $3MM next year.

Valentin had always had great power, slugging 30 HR for the White Sox as recently as 2004.  There’s always a chance of a complete collapse of his batting average and subsequently his OBP.  Valentin is, after all, a career .243 hitter.    Still, you can’t really complain about the signing.  Minaya is now free to focus his efforts on adding a starting pitcher.

The second base free agent market now consists of Mark Loretta, Ray Durham, Ronnie Belliard, Adam Kennedy, Alfonso Soriano, and Todd Walker.