It’s been eight months since Jose Valentin played a game for the Mets.  A key veteran in the Mets 2006 post-season run, he spent most of 2007 on the disabled list, eventually ending his season in late July when he underwent knee surgery. 

Ahead of his rehabilitaion schedule, Valentin made his spring debut yesterday.  He started at first base and played five innings.  Although he went 0 for 2, Valentin’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Mets.  The Mets have been banged up all spring. with 13 players missing time as a result of nagging injuries.  Given the Mets injuries, the depth of the Mets bench has been called into question, even to the point where there were rumors of Barry Bonds playing a season at Shea. 

Although they were just rumors that most laughed at, that lack of depth was no laughing matter.  A healthy Valentin helps solve that lack of depth.  In his sixteen-year career, Valentin has played six of the eight positions on the diamond (he’s never played center field and catcher), and seeing him getting a start at first shows Carlos Delgado now has a backup.

With his versatility, leadership, and clutch bat, Valentin gives the Mets a player every team wishes they had.  This providing his reconstructed knee stays healthy.