For more than a month now, I’ve been trying to think of some scenario in which the Cleveland Indians would be able to pawn second baseman Luis Valbuena off on some other poor, unsuspecting team. But I haven’t come up with any ideas for who would want him, or a worthwhile return package that another GM wouldn’t think was a joke.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer‘s Paul Hoynes reported Tuesday night that the Seattle Mariners are “interested” in Valbuena, though they “have yet to make their pitch,” he said via his Twitter account, @Hoynsie. ESPN Seattle‘s Shannon Drayer heard the same thing.
In spite of his problems, it’s not had to see why the Mariners are interested in Valbuena, who spent his entire career in the Seattle organization before being traded to the Indians in 2008; he posted a .274/.354/.421 slashline in the minors while playing second base, third base, and shortstop, and a year ago Baseball America named him as the Tribe’s second baseman of the future. Having just turned 25 it’s far too soon to give up on him just because he’s struggled in the majors.
But boy, has he struggled. After posting a respectable (if underwhelming) .249/.300/.408 slashline in parts of 2008-9, Valbuena hit .193 with 2 homers, 24 RBI, and a revolting .531 OPS in 91 games in 2010. Yes, his offensive ineptidue was mitigated by his versatility and the fact that he plays a premium position, but Cleveland’s Least Valuable Player undid all the good that did by playing disastrous defense (-6.7 total UZR, including a ridiculous -90.4 UZR/150 at short).
All told, Valbuena was worth -1.5 WAR, making him the second-worst player in the league. Only the Angels’ Brandon Wood (-1.8 WAR) provided less value to a single team.
Maybe this year was just a fluke. Maybe a change of scenery will be just what the doctor ordered for Valbuena, and he’ll become a marginally useful player. And, of course, we know nothing about who the Mariners would give us. Yet I am thrilled by the mere prospect of us getting a worthwhile return for our worst player.
Original Story:
http://www.wahooblues.com/2010/12/08/...
