December 20, 200421 yr With Florida, Ismael Valdez went 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts at Pro Player Stadium. (Wilfredo Lee/AP) MIAMI -- Ismael Valdez's tenure with the Marlins appears to be coming to an end. On Sunday, the veteran right-hander rejected salary arbitration from the Marlins, meaning he will entertain other offers. Although Valdez declined arbitration, he can still negotiate with the Marlins up until Jan. 8. Should Valdez sign elsewhere, the Marlins would receive a compensatory draft pick. For weeks, Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest noted that re-signing Valdez was not a top priority. The team will continue exploring other fifth starter options. Acquired from the Padres on July 31 for minor league pitcher Travis Chick, Valdez went 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 starts for the Marlins. Overall, he was 14-9 with a 5.19 ERA. The 31-year-old made 31 total starts and appeared in 170 innings. The 14 wins were the second highest career season total for Valdez, topped only by his 15-7 record with Los Angeles in 1996. And last season was his first double-digit victory campaign since he was 11-10 as a Dodger in 1998. Despite not having an overpowering fastball, Valdez impressed the Marlins with his ability to battle and compete. For the amount of innings he pitched, he didn't strike out many. He fanned 67 while walking 49. The Marlins obtained Valdez, who made $800,000 in 2004, to solidify the rotation a day after they dealt Brad Penny to the Dodgers as part of a blockbuster trade. Florida obtained Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota and Juan Encarnacion from Los Angeles for Penny, Hee-Seop Choi and minor league pitcher Bill Murphy. Working with runners on base was nothing new for Valdez, who gave up 202 hits. But he had a knack for getting the outs when he needed them and gobbled up enough innings to be an asset as a fifth starter. He was frequently victimized by the long ball, surrendering 33 home runs, with 26 coming on the road. For whatever reasons, Valdez was a much more effective pitcher in his home parks. With the Marlins, he was 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts at Pro Player Stadium. On the road as a Marlin he was 2-2 with a 7.96 ERA. A similar trend was seen before the trade. While with the Padres, he was 6-2 with a 3.03 ERA at home, compared to 3-4 with an 8.88 ERA on the road. For much of the season, Valdez pitched through a left Achilles strain, which hindered him with some fielding. It also was a problem when he ran the bases. But for a pitcher, Valdez wasn't an automatic out. As a Marlin, he went 4-for-17 (.235) with a double and two runs scored. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
December 20, 200421 yr For whatever reasons, Valdez was a much more effective pitcher in his home parks. Wow, this guy reports for MLB and he didn't realize he played in 2 big-time pitchers' parks? :plain Sign Odalis and I'll skeet.
December 20, 200421 yr For whatever reasons, Valdez was a much more effective pitcher in his home parks. Wow, this guy reports for MLB and he didn't realize he played in 2 big-time pitchers' parks? :plain Sign Odalis and I'll skeet. 639035[/snapback] People are dumb.
December 20, 200421 yr NO! Valdez is my favorite player and it was my dream come true when he came to the marlins! *laff* good riddance
December 20, 200421 yr I'm posting mostly to find out if the site is working. It's 8:20 a.m.and there hasn't been a posting since 2:57a.m. Unusual. The loss of Valdez is significant because we are hard-pressed to find another Starter. In roaming several forums, I see such passion for a 1B/OF. We need a Starting Pitcher. And we have no money left (really.) (If I was very rich, I would have bought Matt Clement for us.) I wish the Fantasy Passions would creatively focus on how to get another Starter. I think Spring Training will be productive. But, you can't bet a Season on that. Our 8 positions are ready for Opening Day. (Best we can do, and very decent.) Another Starting Pitcher is needed. And talk of trading A.J. is now absolutely insane. Trade him in July if we are not in contention.
December 20, 200421 yr That's too bad that Valdes doesn't look like he's gonna resign 639049[/snapback] It's quite possible Valdez had agreed to decline arbitration before it was even offered. Let's see what happens by Jan. 8. Don't rule anything out yet. Valdez could very well be in a Marlins uni next year.
December 20, 200421 yr Went 3 - 1 with a 1.50 at PPS and he's a scrub? Why the hell do people hate him so much?
December 20, 200421 yr This doens't mean he isn't coming back, a whopping 3 eligible players accepted arbitration this year. He could still be back and I really don't see the harm in doing so. He's a damn good pitcher for being a 5th starter.
December 20, 200421 yr If he doesn't come back, Beinfest should bring in someone other than the typical veteran journeyman.
December 20, 200421 yr I liked him pitching for us, but I won't mind him leaving if we get a good replacement.
December 20, 200421 yr I've said before and to repeat myself, we need six pitchers (at minimum) who can start. Whether Valez is signed to be the fifth starter or he winds up working from the pen and as a spot starter, his performance last season at PPS warrants re-signing him. And yes, like a broken record, I'd still like to see LimaTime at the Pro. But that's just the fan in me speaking.
December 20, 200421 yr It baffles me why some people are down on Valdez. He's a perfect number 5 pitcher, he's fairly cheap and eats up innings. At least we know what we will get out of him. For everybody that thinks we will sign Jose "Herpes" Lima or Odalis Perez need to get a grip on reality. We can't afford those guys, but we can afford Valdez. Don't let Exxon slip away Benifest.
December 20, 200421 yr Guy was a scrub! Glad he is not coming back :thumbup 639041[/snapback] A scrub? What a joke. He was the only 5th starter in our entire organization that was effective last season. He was everything you could ask for from a 5th starter and then some.
December 21, 200421 yr Went 3 - 1 with a 1.50 at PPS and he's a scrub? Why the hell do people hate him so much? 639077[/snapback] Because they are Darren Oliver fans? :blink: I honestly don't know. Signing Valdez midseason was a great move and worked out perfectly.
December 21, 200421 yr No real surprise there...get Odalis signed now 639034[/snapback] I second that.
December 21, 200421 yr Went 3 - 1 with a 1.50 at PPS and he's a scrub? Why the hell do people hate him so much? 639077[/snapback] Because they are Darren Oliver fans? :blink: I honestly don't know. Signing Valdez midseason was a great move and worked out perfectly. 639811[/snapback] I agree. Valdez is a quality pitcher and as a #5 is a great luxury. Would like to have him back, but I will take Odalis instead. :thumbup
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