MLB

Valverde happy to ‘close’ deal with Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — Jose Valverde didn’t have anybody dissuade him from picking the Mets this time around.

The veteran reliever said he was close to signing with the Mets last year, but ultimately took the advice of agent Scott Boras, who viewed re-signing with the Tigers as a better fit for Valverde.

“My agent told me, ‘You have to go to the team where you know everybody,’ ” Valverde said Sunday. “Scott said, ‘Go with Detroit and sign with them,’ but always I wanted to play here.”

The 35-year-old Valverde appeared in only 20 games for the Tigers last season, going 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA. The Mets recently signed Valverde to a minor league contract, giving him a chance to compete for a relief role. The Mets also have veteran Kyle Farnsworth competing for a bullpen job on a minor league deal.

Valverde, a three-time All-Star, saved 49 games in as many chances for the Tigers in 2011. He would give the Mets potential depth at closer should Bobby Parnell incur a physical setback.

“I’m here because I want to support the team,” Valverde said. “If one of the other guys is the closer, that’s fine with me. I want to do my job and support the team.”


Parnell said he had no apprehension throwing off a mound on Friday, more than a week ahead of schedule.

“Each little step is progress for me and a little confidence booster,” said Parnell, who is returning from surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. “So to get off the mound and do that, especially this early — to have confidence to do that is big for me.”

The right-hander expects to throw from a mound again on Monday.


The Mets unveiled a patch they will wear on their right sleeve this season to remember Ralph Kiner, who died on Feb. 6 at age 91. Kiner was part of the Mets’ broadcast crew for 52 seasons, beginning with the franchise’s inception in 1962. The patch displays a microphone and includes Kiner’s name. Kiner will be remembered during a pregame ceremony on Opening Day at Citi Field on March 31.