Valentin's production

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about Jose Valentin and his production:

He runs the bases intelligently and makes smart plays. Second base was going to be the Mets' weakest link. And it was when Kaz Matsui took over for injured Anderson Hernandez in April. But Valentin has been an unexpected asset since displacing Matsui, scoring 40 runs, driving in 49 and producing a .504 slugging percentage -- three points higher than Carlos Delgado's.

This from the player the Mets were trying to move in early April when he wasn't making contact in his primary roles as a pinch-hitter and all-purpose understudy.

"I think it's fair to say his hitting has been moderately surprising because of last year," Tom Glavine said.

Valentin batted .170 with a .265 slugging percentage in 147 at-bats with the Dodgers in 2005.

"But he did have a track record of being a good offensive player," Glavine said. "But his defense definitely has been surprising. He's been more than adequate. He's been good. He gets a lot of credit for what we're doing."

This from a shortstop by trade who had played merely 104 innings at second base 12 years ago.

"They say if you can shortstop, you can play anywhere," Valentin said. "It's taken some time, but I feel comfortable now."