In a move that should make Javier Valentin fans pretty happy, the Reds have signed catcher Dioner Navarro. This would seem to jive with the rumor we’ve heard that Ryan Hanigan will be traded soon. We hope not, but we’ve heard it. Navarro is going to be 28 next season and hit a Javy Valentin-esque .193/.276/.324 in 202 plate appearances for the Dodgers last year. The Reds...

Lance McAllister, who has a show and blog at 1530HOMER - The Sports Animal in Cincinnati, throws an interesting and provocative line into the waters of the Jackie Robinson Day yesterday. I am with him that it was a great moment for baseball. This is a league that consistently bungles things like this. Just wait for when Barry Bonds hits #756. But Bud Selig and the league handled...

As Mets fans we've all heard the debate over whether the Wilpon's are financially struggling. Fred Wilpon and Dave Howard have both refuted reports that the Madoff scandal has lost the family/team a tremendous amount of money. Meanwhile, it's been speculated, reported and even published in a book that the Wilpon's are so strapped they may have to sell the team...What...

As we all know the Mets cannot do anything right this year.  One of their biggest weaknesses has been hitting home runs.  Playing in Citi Field does not make it any easier. With under 40 games left in this dreadful year, the Mets have just passed Barry Bonds on the home run list.  In 2001, as [...] Related posts:Mets Give Javier Valentin and Wily Mo Pena The Boot

The market for catchers has been silent this year, as many contenders are set behind the plate. It’s partially a coincidence, but still noteworthy that so many of baseball’s best teams have catchers performing well. Here are a few backstops who could be available this month: Ivan Rodriguez - The Astros aren't selling now, but Rodriguez, who was dealt...

The Mets had a busy and curious day yesterday as far as transactions go. Here’s a list of what they did yesterday: Recalled Fernando Martinez from AAA Buffalo Sent John Maine to minors for a rehab assignment Designated Connor Robertson for assignment Released Bobby Kielty Designated Wilson Valdez for assignment Released Wily Mo Pena Released Javier Valentin Sent Ken Takahashi...

Yesterday's roster moves were quite curious, to say the least. Was the team looking to make room for a near future move or simply cleaning house.Javier Valentin and Bobby Kielty were on the minor league DL and not on the 40 man roster, so why cut them, when healthy they had to be considered helpful on a woefully awful Bison team. The Wily Mo Pena move baffles me the most, the...

Lots of roster moves for the Amazin's today. Bart Hubbuch tweets that in addition to Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin, the Mets have also released outfielder Bobby Kielty. The former Oakland cult hero was hitting .231-.394-.346 in just 33 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.

Bu-Bye Willie Mo Pena,  Javier Valentin and Bobby Keilty Something is brewing boys and girls

According to several sources including Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post, the Buffalo Bisons released outfielder/first baseman Wily Mo Pena and infielder Javier Valentin today. The Mets released two veterans, outfielder Wily Mo Pena and infielder Javier Valentin, from Triple-A Buffalo today while activating newly claimed left-handed reliever Arturo Lopez to the Bisons’ roster. Pena had five [...]

I'm not really sure how this makes sense, but I guess I can't see the big picture.The Buffalo Bison's have announced that they have released Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin.Valentin has been on the disable list since June 15th with a shoulder strain, prior to that he hit .260 while catching, playing 1B, 3B and left field. Many speculated that he would have been called...

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets released Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin from Triple A Buffalo. 

If the Mets decided to drop the youth movement with Dan Murphy and Fernando Martinez, Javier Valentin was probably in line for a promotion. The veteran catcher had been playing 1B, DH, 3B and the outfield while hitting .260, has been placed on the DL with a shoulder strain.Wily Mo Pena was limited to DH duties after fouling a ball off his shin/ankle when Fernando Martinez was promoted...

Buffalo 8, Durham 1 lf Jesus Feliciano 2 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, .301 cf Chip Ambres 2 for 4, RBI, .259 dh Javier Valentin 0 for 3, K, .260 ph, dh Cory Sullivan RBI, .270 1b Willy Pena 0 for 4, K, .254 rf Emil Brown 1 for 4, run, K, .300 3b Mike Lamb 1 for 4, run, K, .198 c [...]

The Mets have acquired Chicago White Sox's minor league infielder Javier Castillo (source MLBTR). The 25 y/o career minor leaguer was once the 17th ranked prospect in Appalachian League ( rookie league) with the Bristol White Sox's.The Bison's infield is as depleted as the Mets; with Argenis Reyes, Mark Kiger and Andy Green on the DL, while Javier Valentin is limited...

Buffalo 2, Durham 7 cf Cory Sullivan 1 for 3, BB, .270 lf Jesus Feliciano 0 for 2, run, BB, .296 dh Javier Valentin 0 for 4, K, .270 1b Willy Pena 1 for 4, run, K, .262 rf Chip Ambres 2 for 4, 2b, RBI, .254 3b Mike Lamb 1 for 4, K, .196 c Rene Rivera 1 for 4, RBI, [...]

The inaugural season of the Buffalo Bison's as the Mets AAA affiliate hasn't gone exactly as planned.When the two teams agreed to the affiliation, it was reported that Buffalo was a baseball town and that the Mets needed to give the Bison's a winning roster. Things haven't worked out, as Buffalo is in last place by 16 games with a record of 17-39. Looking at the roster...

Last night the Buffalo Bisons beat the first place Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA. Nelson Figueroa (1-4, 3.17) pitched 7.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while walking one and striking out three.Some thoughts:Nelson Figueroa should be in New York, and Tim Redding should be in the bullpen.Wily Mo Pena is a big dude, and he hits every ball hard.Javier Valentin...

Reports indicate that the Mets will decide tomorrow whether they will call someone up to replace Ramon Martinez or wait for Jose Reyes to return on Friday.Even if Carlos Beltran returns to the line-up, after spending the last four days sick with a stomach virus, his effectiveness will certainly be in question. And lets not forget that their biggest power threat, Gary Sheffield is...

For those of us who thought Javier Valentin should be called up to replace Ramon Martinez, we can scratch him from the list. Valentin played third base, for the second straight game but left after three at-bats with shoulder soreness. While he wouldn't have been an ideal move because of positional redundancy ( C, 1B, 3B) but he was the best available bat, hitting .333.The question...

Buffalo 4, Norfolk 2 cf Cory Sullivan 0 for 4, .259 lf Jesus Feliciano 1 for 4, run, .297 3b Javier Valentin 1 for 3, run, .292 1b Michel Abreu 0 for 1, .226 dh Willy Pena 1 for 4, .248 rf Emil Brown 2 for 4, run, .313 2b Mike Lamb 1 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, K, .195 c Robinson Cancel [...]

Ramon Martinez broke his pinkie while sliding into home, scoring the only Mets run of the game.Martinez will more then likely be added to the disabled list, the Mets can either play short until Friday when Reyes comes off the DL or bring someone up.The Mets are clearly struggling offensively with all the injuries and I wouldn't play short handed.Javier Valentin is a right handed...

Tonight I will get a chance to check out some Mets farmhands in action as the Buffalo Bisons come to town to take on the Norfolk Tides. Nelson Figueroa (0-4, 3.54) is scheduled to face a local favorite, Chris Tillman (5-0, 2.13).Among those I will be keeping a close eye on are Nelson Figueroa, Javier Valentin, Emil Brown, Eddie Kunz, and newly acquired Lance Broadway.Tonight after...

Add Angel Pagen to the list of walking wounded, which is affectionately being called day-to-day by the Mets organization.When Pagan pulled up lame will attempting to run down a ball in the gap, I thought the worst, a torn hammy. Pagan is calling the injury groin discomfort, he received an MRI after the game but no official word has been given and he's listed as day-to-day...Coming...

Buffalo 2, Durham 5 cf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, BB, .295 dh Alex Cora 1 for 5, .214 3b Javier Valentin 1 for 4, BB, K, .310 lf Willy Mo Pena 2 for 4, K, .237 rf Emil Brown 2 for 4, RBI, K, .250 1b Michel Abreu 1 for 4, 2b, .228 2b Mike Lamb 0 for [...]