Rob Johnson Shocking Athleticism on full display that inning.

Mike Baxter's BABIP is still super ridiculous but he really looks more and more like a great 4th outfielder find. Kudos to the front office for giving him the roster spot over Loewen.

I was very much in favor of Valdy getting extended run, and still am and believe its the right call, but rather unsurprisingly, the league has adjusted to him and he looks like less than a viable major leaguer very suddenly.

Its important to learn this now, though. We'll see how he can finish.

Torres, OTOH, looks more and more like a solid major league CFer.

Its a dogfight for 2nd most valuable everyday player. Torres is right in there, somewhat shockingly.

Mentioned it in the other thread, but I wonder if people even realize he's been as good, if not better, than Angel Pagan.

Not that Pagan is even a high bar to reach, but point is, he's been pretty good overall. League average offense, above average defense; the overall package may not be exciting but it's very useful. Just look at Shane Victorino this season, he's been the same thing but over a larger sample.

Timing is his biggest flaw. I've touched on it in a few recent IGTs - most won't realize how competent he was this year because they stopped caring when he was still not hitting at all.

I mentioned this when we were playing the Giants. Pagan might have had a sexy hitting streak, but that trade worked out pretty well, even if it wasn't a resounding victory.

When the deal was made, I liked it. I truthfully thought Pagan and Torres would likely cancel each other and be similar in value, but I thought Ramirez would tip the deal in the Mets' favor as a good setup man. So much for that. Relieve volatility sucks.

Still, the deal looks fair with Torres finding his way recently.

Ha, of course as I am ready to write Jordany down for a 4 for his next 40 with 21 Ks, he hits a laser beam HR.

VALDY!!!!!!!!!

Valdespin is like the early-career Robinson Cano (the one allergic to walks) without the elite contact skills.

That's still too generous, but it's not outlandish.

Adam Jones and Alfonso Soriano have similar skillsets too, but it's far too early to even get into that stuff since Valdespin doesn't even 150 PA to his name.

Has he ever not been allergic to walks?

27 non-intentional walks in 680+ PA last year.