Posted by Mike Frohwirth
With the injuries to All-Star 2B Chase Utley, and AA-quality utility infielder Michael Martinez, there has been some complaint about the Phillies' offseason decision to trade AAA-quality utility infielder Wilson Valdez. Though Valdez' two unaccomplished seasons on the Phillies' payroll left a sizeable statistical trail supporting Phillies' General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.'s decision to dump Valdez for salary relief, it seems some have forgotten just how little Valdez contributed to the Phils' roster. Let's have a quick look:
2010: .306 OBP, .360 SLG, .294 wOBA, 77 wRC+
2011: .294 OBP, .294 OBP, .274 wOBA, 67 wRC+
Ugly, right? It's amazing that the Phillies managed two division titles, despite allowing Valdez an unconscionable 663 plate appearances. Defensively, Valdez paired a very strong arm with the knowledge of where on the infield to stand, whether asked to play "shortstop", "second base", or "third base."
Heading into his Age 34 season, the projection systems are not particularly bullish on Valdez for 2012:
Steamer: .278 OBP, .306 SLG, .259 wOBA
Bill James: .306 OBP, .324 SLG, .275 wOBA
ZiPS: .298 OBP, .332 SLG, .276 wOBA
There was no reason for the Phillies to pay Valdez $930K to post these execrable numbers, when there are better, cheaper options literally growing on trees. (Not "good" options exactly, but pretty much all non-Michael Martinez alternatives are better options than Wilson Valdez.)
