New York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin, who has been one of baseball's more colorful characters this season, apparently didn't take well to his demotion to Triple A this week, calling his manager Terry Collins a c--ksucker in a heated argument, according to reports.
Valdespin, a talented 25-year-old outfielder who has struggled mightily at the plate this season, and displayed a lack of baseball sense in the field, was sent to the minors after failing to adapt to less than regular playing time.
He argued with Collins, swore at him and then allegedly tried to invent an injury out of thin air so he could be placed on the disabled list. It's not the first time Valdespin has created a stir this season either.
In spring training Valdespin was hit in the privates with a pitch, later responding to reporters asking what happened by saying, "I got hit in my d-k." During the regular season Valdespin swatted a long home run in a lopsided loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates and showboated.
The next day Valdespin was beaned in the forearm intentionally, and became enraged when none of his teammates supported him. David Wright, the Mets captain spoke on the incident at the time saying:
"We all knew coming in to today that the Pirates could have taken it one way and I think Jordany understood that. It's a learning process. You know what you're getting in Jordany: A very talented player who has a knack for getting those big hits. Sometimes he shows that charisma and flair and I think that upsets some people."
He also responded to questions about Valdespin's maturity saying, "I think he gets a bad rap, sometimes unfairly. Obviously, he's made some mistakes in the past. ... He doesn't need to change the person he is. I think toning some of it down might be appropriate."
Now, those questions seem legitimate. New York would probably like to unload Valdespin at this point, and despite being a 25-year-old center fielder with good pop in his lumber, these character questions will surely hurt his trade value as the deadline approaches.
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