February 26, 200521 yr Valdez seeks better fate on road Veteran righty feeling good heading into season By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Ismael Valdez's ERA was six runs higher on the road (8.56) than at home (2.55) last season. (Ric Francis/AP) JUPITER, Fla. -- There is no need to remind Ismael Valdez about his tale of two seasons last year. Valdez is baffled at how he could be so good statistically at home, and then see his numbers reverse so disappointingly on the road. "It's weird," the 31-year-old right-hander said. "I had seven or eight bad games out of my [31 starts]. Those eight games, that's what took my ERA to the sky. Eight games out of [31], and I've got a 5.19 ERA. That's like I gave up five runs in every game. But it was only in eight games." Collectively, Valdez enjoyed a successful 2004, a year in which he was dealt from the Padres to the Marlins on July 31 for minor league pitcher Travis Chick. Overall, the Mexican native was 14-9 to go along with his 5.19 ERA. Dissecting the numbers further, Valdez was an impressive 9-3 with a 2.55 ERA at home. Away, the figures tell another story, 5-6 with a whopping 8.56 ERA. His home mark as a Marlin was an eye-opening 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts. News and features: ? Marlins' Valdez seeks better fate on road ? Marlins notes: Willis to start spring opener ? Marlins should pack a wallop in 2005 Multimedia: ? Joe Frisaro discusses the Delgado signing ? OF Chris Aguila on his chances to make the Marlins ? Broadcaster Dave Van Horne on the Delgado signing Info: Schedule | Ballpark | Tickets MLB.com's complete coverage And Valdez is right about when he was off, he was very off. In six of his starts he gave up six or more runs in five or less innings. In 34 outings, counting relief appearances, he had 10 games where he issued at least five runs. And he had a penchant for allowing the long ball, surrendering 33 homers. Again, a majority of those (26) came in opposing parks. For whatever reasons, his successes were mostly at home. "It was kind of a rare season for me," Valdez said. "I was pitching good at home, and away is when I had my shaky starts." There are no real answers for why pitchers can be so contrasting based on where they're playing. Marlins manager Jack McKeon says sometimes it as a matter of who the opposition throws out there. "Those things happen," McKeon said of Valdez's distorted stats. "I don't know why these things happen. And sometimes it could be your Opening Day starter is going against someone's second, third or fourth [starter]. Or you get up against a Randy Johnson on Opening Day, and you're 0-1. Then, you get your fifth-day starter, who isn't as good, and you score nine runs for him, and he wins. And he has a pretty good record. A lot of times it's mix and matching." As a Marlin, Valdez was 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 starts. "Of course, I had good starts home and away," said Valdez, who was bothered by an Achilles tendon problem a year ago. "But it was more noticeable when I was on the road last year." Able to keep his team in games, Valdez' teams tended to win when he pitched. In his 34 apperances, counting three relief outings, his teams were 21-13. The Marlins were 7-4 when Valdez took the field. Ismael Valdez / P Born: 08/21/73 Height: 6'4" Weight: 225 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop "I've always tried to give my team the best chance to win a ballgame," Valdez said. "Whether I throw five innings or I throw nine, I will give my team the best effort. That's always been me. People don't always see it that way, but that is me. I will always give my best effort, whether I'm at the plate or on the pitching mound, whatever." In his first full spring with the Marlins, Valdez will handle the fifth starter role. On a staff that includes hard throwers Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett, Valdez is a seasoned veteran who can log some innings. The rotation is a solid one, including lefties Dontrelle Willis and Al Leiter. A fiery competitor, Valdez showed his Marlins teammates that he will help himself with the bat, where he had a couple of key hits. Defensively, he made an athletic stop off a liner last year, showing soccer skills by basically trapping a line drive. He recovered to get the out at first. Improving the road record is an objective for the veteran. "We're trying this year to accomplish better," he said. "Right now, I feel fine. The Achilles is feeling really, really, really good." Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
February 26, 200521 yr Nobody is expecting miracles from Valdez. I'll be satisfied if he just goes out and gives us chance to win as often as possible. With our offense producing for him, he'll do just fine.
February 26, 200521 yr And Valdez is right about when he was off, he was very off. In six of his starts he gave up six or more runs in five or less innings. In 34 outings, counting relief appearances, he had 10 games where he issued at least five runs. And he had a penchant for allowing the long ball, surrendering 33 homers. Again, a majority of those (26) came in opposing parks. 695691[/snapback] I wasn't impressed last year with Valdez. When you look at his overall numbers, particularly his home numbers, they were much better than I remembered. However, all I really ask for in a 5th starter is to not give the game away in the first five innings, and his numbers suggest he tends to do just that - usually on the road. Hopefully this year he'll find more consistency, which combined with our new look lineup should give him a few more wins. If he's consistent, it will take a lot of pressure off Beckett/Burnett.
February 26, 200521 yr He usually kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win. 695847[/snapback] Certainly better than Bump/Kensing/anyone else in the organization
February 27, 200521 yr The most you can hope for in a 5th starter is a serviceable pitcher and Valdez is exactly that.
February 27, 200521 yr He usually kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win. 695847[/snapback] Certainly better than Bump/Kensing/anyone else in the organization 695849[/snapback] They had some tough situations. Bump, Wayne and Phelps had trained and conditioned themselves as relievers all winter and spring. Not everyone can make that adjustment. Tejerrible and others came up from AAA Albuquerque. An entirely different ballpark (a league of 16 Coors Fields!). They had to make the change from pitching to avoid the homers to being asked to throw strikes, using the Marlins defense and ballpark to eat some innings. Kensing came up from single A, lost his confidence when he couldn't locate his sinking fastball.
February 27, 200521 yr If Valdez remembers what it was like as a member of the Dodgers he will win 15 games. But I would settle for him to pitch like in 2003 with Texas. That alone would get him 12-15 wins. But those roadies are going to be scary with him on the hill.
February 27, 200521 yr He's one of the best 5th starters in baseball and would be a solid #4 on most teams. I'm really glad we re-signed him.
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