Rick Ankiel to Platoon in CF; What About Jordany Valdespin?

Terry Collins said that newly signed Rick Ankiel will platoon in center field along with Juan Lagares. It seems like the Mets are doing whatever they can to limit Jordany Valdespin’s playing time.

After Kirk Nieuwenhuis flopped, it was assumed Valdespin would replace him as the lefty half of any platoon in center. But now Ankiel comes in, and Valdespin is back to the bench. Collins said Valdespin get some time at second base if Daniel Murphy, another lefty, continues to struggle, according to ESPNNewYork.com.

It is clear that the Mets hierarchy just does not like Jordany Valdespin. He was ticketed for Las Vegas even before Spring Training began, but he forced his way onto the team with a solid spring. His numbers are not great — .239, but three home runs and 11 RBIs in limited action — but he has gotten some key hits.

Perhaps the Mets can justify it by saying Valdespin is more valuable off the bench as a pinch hitter than a starter. He was very effective as a pinch hitter last season with five home runs.

Jordany Valdespin has unfortunately continued his immature ways and it appears to rub his teammates and the organization the wrong; no one defended him when he was plunked over the weekend after admiring a home run the night before. Maybe we don’t know everything. Maybe Jordany Valdespin is far worse in the clubhouse and deserves to be punished.

All fans know is that this team is terrible and that Jordany Valdespin is exciting and appears to have some potential, unlike the rest of the team. And by all indications, the Mets are going out of their way to make sure Valdespin remains planted on the bench.

Why don’t the Mets just dump Valdespin if they hate him so much? I’m sure he’ll have no problem finding a job with another team.