NY Mets sign Jose Valentin To Minor League Deal

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets have signed infielder Jose Valentin to a minor league contract.

Valentin will be invited to spring training and can earn $800K if he makes the squad. He should provide adequate backup to Luis Castillo this season and could get a good amount of at-bats if Castillo continues to struggle. Valentin was the Mets' starting second baseman in 2006, when he hit .271 and 18 home runs.

I don't know what Valentin has left in the tank, but he is a great clubhouse guy. Valentin has also been credited for mentoring Jose Reyes and bringing the best out of him. I suppose we could do worse for a bat off the bench.