Posted at 12:24 p.m., Monday, August 6, 2001

Agbayani days numbered in N.Y.? S.F. may be next

By Pete Caldera
The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)

Benny Agbayani did not play for the second game in a row, fueling speculation that he could be headed to San Francisco. Advertiser library photo

PHOENIX — For the second straight game, Benny Agbayani did not play yesterday. But he was in a more jovial pregame mood.

Outwardly, Agbayani isn't worried about a potential trade today or tomorrow. The San Francisco Giants have reportedly claimed Agbayani off waivers, meaning the Mets can either pull him back or make a trade with San Francisco.

Agbayani, a former St. Louis School and Hawai'i Pacific University player, said he predicted he wouldn't be playing yesterday's series finale against the Diamondbacks.

Though Mets manager Bobby Valentine denied Agbayani's benching had anything to do with his unresolved waiver situation, Agbayani isn't so sure.

The two men did not speak about the issue before the game, and Agbayani said he had no reason to ask Valentine for an explanation. "What am I supposed to do, storm in there?" he said.

Valentine has been vocally and emotionally in Agbayani's corner since managing him in the minor leagues, and Agbayani believes Valentine would always act in his best interests.

Still, one of two things could be at work here:

1. The Mets are hopeful that a trade for Agbayani will go through, and Valentine has been ordered to bench his left fielder to prevent an injury that would scuttle the deal.

2. Valentine is attempting to put doubts in the minds of potential suitors for Agbayani's services. Why bench a player who is batting .500 (triple, two doubles) on the road trip and hitting .383 in his last 15 games?

The last argument seems to be a reach. Valentine said yesterday that, "If Jay (Payton) didn't get two hits (Saturday), Benny would be in."

Tsuyoshi Shinjo (1-for-3, double), who did not play Saturday, played left field yesterday. Payton (0-for-3) was in center field and Matt Lawton (2-for-4, HR) was in right field.

"It's not a big issue," Valentine said. "It'll all take care of itself."

Agbayani said he spoke with his agent, Dan Horwits, who told him Saturday night to refuse further comment on the waiver situation.

"There's nothing I can do," Agbayani said. "There's nothing to comment on."

If Agbayani is pulled off waivers and not traded, the Mets could not repeat the waiver process on him until September.