Our New Shortstop!

Yes you heard right, its Wilson Valdez, claimed off waivers from the Mets on Friday, after having been waived by the White Sox on Wednesday. So he's been waived twice in 3 days, but he's our starting shortstop.

He brings a string of empty 300 batting averages from the minor leagues and a good defensive reputation. BP Prospectus' PECOTA system forecasts a a .250 average with no power, few walks and little speed. The 90th percentile projection (best case scenario) is .290 with no power, few walks and a little speed.

I have no problem with the M's scouring the waiver wire for free talent. I'm a little bothered by the fact that they should have known they would need a backup shortstop. Pokey is injury prone. They knew they wanted Lopez in Tacoma. And yet they couldn't bring a guy to camp who was better than someone else's castoff?

Oh well, its Opening Day (note the capital letters, it oughta be a holiday), so all is right with the world. Even if your starting shortstop was cut twice this week by other teams.