Replacement Level Mets Update: Elmer Dessens and Wilson Valdez

According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi at Fox Sports (via MLBTR), the Mets are close to re-signing 38 year-old right-handed pitcher Elmer Dessens.  Next logical question: why?  Dessens posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 32.2 extremely low-leverage innings in 2009.  Fortunately, we know not to look at ERA and WHIP as useful statistics for pitcher evaluation.  The numbers that matter (3.86 K/9, 5.33 FIP, 4.93 tERA) tell a much different story, a story of luck fueled by an unsustainable .196 BABIP.  Given his underwhelming stuff and 89 mph fastball, there's really no reason to bring him back for a major league or even a minor league deal.  Meanwhile, Adam Bostick is a free agent.

The Phillies signed 31 year-old shortstop Wilson "The Spill" Valdez to a minor league contract (via MLBTR).  He's a defensive specialist, to put it mildly, and the Mets would have been wise to bring him back if only for depth at AAA.  Although he was a personal favorite there won't be many tears shed over this.  The tears, and a change in my Omar Poll vote to "under no circumstances", will come when Alex Cora is signed for $2 million.  These aren't "impact transactions" but it would've made for a slightly more enjoyable night-before-Thanksgiving if the Phillies were pursuing Dessens and the Mets re-signed Valdez.