Agbayani should know his fate today
Knight Ridder News Service
Benny Agbayani should know today whether he's still with the New York Mets.
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 did not play Saturday or Sunday against the Arizona 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:
- 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.
- 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 Sunday that, "If Jay (Payton) didn't get two hits (Saturday), Benny would be in."
"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."
Mets assistant general manager Jim Duquette, traveling with the club, said that GM Steve Phillips still planned to speak with Horwits.
The message from Phillips, Duquette said, would be: "A trade is possible this time of year, but it's very difficult."
If Agbayani is pulled off waivers, the Mets could not repeat the waiver process on him until next month.
