Headlines

  • Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September
  • Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft
  • 2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results
  • Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear
  • Astros Promote Brice Matthews
  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Merkin Valdez Designated For Assignment

By Tim Dierkes | January 14, 2010 at 12:47pm CDT

Reliever Merkin Valdez was designated for assignment today to make room for Aubrey Huff, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Valdez, 28, posted a 5.66 ERA, 6.9 K/9, and 5.1 BB/9 in 49.3 innings for the Giants last year. 

With a 95.5 mph average fastball, someone will give Valdez a look.  Heading into the 2004 season Baseball America ranked him as the #40 prospect in baseball.  Heading into '05 he was at #58.  Valdez had Tommy John surgery in October of '06.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

San Francisco Giants Transactions Merkin Valdez

Tigers Avoid Arbitration With Joel Zumaya
Main
Five Teams Pursuing Jose Contreras
View Comments (31)
Post a Comment

31 Comments

  1. HummBaby

    16 years ago

    Of all the dead weight on the team, I’m surprised at this move. I liked him, and it wasn’t too long ago that he was being hailed as a future stud in the rotation (pre-surgery of course).

    Reply
  2. dodgers_suck

    16 years ago

    this guy was really good. still throws hard so he’ll find a home.

    Reply
  3. eedwards027

    16 years ago

    I wouldn’t mind seeing the Pirates pick him up.

    Reply
  4. JaY_Patel

    16 years ago

    Well we have to give other RP a shot to crack the bullpen i think they like Waldis Joaquan (Spelling incorrect) and Dan Runzler alot. They have officially 3 spots open for RP if they carry 4 position players or 2 spots if they carry 5…..Wilson, Affeldt, Romo, Medders, Runzler, and Joaquan looks nice….They can bring back Merkin Valdez on Minor League Contract soo he doesnt take a 40 man roster spot

    Reply
    • iceman2410

      16 years ago

      I don’t think they can bring him back on a minor league contract. I believe he’s out of minor league options (I think I remember reading that in an earlier post).

      Reply
  5. bharsh

    16 years ago

    Freaking crazy… you mean to tell me this kid had no trade value what-so-ever?

    you watch… he becomes the next Joe Nathan

    Reply
    • giorgio m

      16 years ago

      Valdez had some serious talent….however, as long as we don’t get Pierzynski for Nathan and Liriano again, then I’m ok 🙁

      Reply
      • Lincecum_Says_GSP

        16 years ago

        Talent as in throws fire but cannot locate and has VERY weak offspeed stuff? Not to mention little movement on that fast ball? No doubt some teams that are starving for relievers will grab him quick but never showed the stuff Nathan showed. It was Nathan’s injury that put him on the block and Liriano was buried too deep in the minors at that point to show how good he would become.

        Reply
      • SolidarityInSF

        16 years ago

        Yes, he had some serious talent for leaving fat heat over the plate. Sure he threw 98 MPH, but that only meant it left the park that much faster.

        Reply
    • dwan

      16 years ago

      are you serious? Valdez only has one pitch, a fastball. If hitters know you only have one pitch you’re in trouble.

      Reply
  6. Abraham Zapruder

    16 years ago

    Phillies need this guy as a cheap 5th starter option. Claim him on waivers, Ruben.

    Reply
    • Lincecum_Says_GSP

      16 years ago

      You realize at best he’s a long reliever right? But by all means claim him as your 5th starter.

      Reply
  7. bharsh

    16 years ago

    Does the new “Giants Way” involve smoking excessive amounts of dope? Because me thinks that’s what Sabian is doing.

    Reply
    • Bye Bye Baby Bonanza

      16 years ago

      No that’s the “Lincecum Way”. Or “Two-time Cy Young Award Way”.

      Reply
  8. B Squared

    16 years ago

    I can see the Pirates taking a shot at him.

    Reply
  9. grebito

    16 years ago

    Unbelievable – –
    We toss Merkin (95mph stuff) and keep Fred Lewis (crap fielder & no clue at the plate)?

    Neukom – why do you put up with this idiocy unless you don’t get it either? Sabean is a reflection of ownership. If they don’t stop his idiocy then we can only assume they are as clueless as he.

    Reply
  10. Bye Bye Baby Bonanza

    16 years ago

    Good riddance! His propensity to give up the walk-off home run was only topped by Bobby “walk-off” Howry last season.

    Reply
  11. grebito

    16 years ago

    “Talent as in throws fire but cannot locate and has VERY weak offspeed stuff? Not to mention little movement on that fast ball?”

    Everyone is a project to some degree – – except Fred Lewis.
    You keep Merkin and show Fred the door – – Merkin vs. Fred – no contest.

    Reply
    • Lincecum_Says_GSP

      16 years ago

      Except for the fact that Lewis was 2nd on the team in OBP last year? He’s one of the only hitters from the ’09 that could draw a walk.

      Now I’m not saying he deserves a spot ont he 25 man at this point, but let him fight it out in ST and if he can emerge as a consistent hitter and learns how to steal a base you have a lead off hitter.

      Reply
  12. Bye Bye Baby Bonanza

    16 years ago

    Fred Lewis won’t be on the Giants next year either. The Giants will sign at least a bullpen arm and probably a catcher too this off-season. So they will have to DFA two more players on the 40-man roster.

    Reply
  13. BleacherBumSF

    16 years ago

    lol at anyone trying to critcize this move

    Waldis Joaquin is a clone of Merkin, a guy who can throw 100 but has no idea where it’s going

    Reply
  14. SC_Giants_28

    16 years ago

    Should of battled it out on the field, have Merkin pitch to Freddy and the winner stays. LOL

    Reply
    • eljimador

      16 years ago

      Lewis would draw a walk then the Giants would cut him anyway since they see no value in walks.

      Reply
    • eljimador

      16 years ago

      Lewis would draw a walk then the Giants would cut him anyway since they see no value in walks.

      Reply
  15. SC_Giants_28

    16 years ago

    Should of battled it out on the field, have Merkin pitch to Freddy and the winner stays. LOL

    Reply
  16. windycitywarrior

    16 years ago

    El Magifico is gone. By the way a “merkin” is a pubic toupee. I think thats funny.

    Reply
  17. SolidarityInSF

    16 years ago

    To everyone defending Valdez:

    He had a 1.723 WHIP last season. His BB/9 was 5.1. Opposing batters his .292 against him. He had 3 blown saves in three opportunities, including the Spillborghs grand slam. Oh, and that was out of 9 total save situations. 6 holds, 3 blown saves.

    I am glad the Giants are done with this failed experiment; I only hope they can pawn him off somehow, since I’m sure some other organization thinks they can clean up his technique. That way, our Giants might get to hit some gopherballs off him next year.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September

    Nationals Select Eli Willits With First Pick Of 2025 Amateur Draft

    2025 MLB Draft, First Round Results

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Astros Promote Brice Matthews

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Recent

    Stuart Sternberg Has Agreed To Sell Rays To Patrick Zalupski, Deal Expected To Be Final By September

    Adolis Garcia Drawing Trade Interest

    Poll: Who Will Win The 2025 Home Run Derby?

    Royals Place Michael Lorenzen On Injured List

    Yankees Claim Rico Garcia

    Blue Jays, Joe Mantiply Agree To Minor League Deal

    Submit Your Questions For This Week’s Episode Of The MLBTR Podcast

    D-backs Have Listened To Offers On Outfield Depth

    Vinny Nittoli To Opt Out Of Brewers Deal

    The Opener: Home Run Derby, Draft Day 2, Rodriguez

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version