The Mets have released catcher Javier Valentin and outfielders Wily Mo Pena and Bobby Kielty. The Mets didn’t like what they saw of these three players in the minors so they decided to let them go. It was no risk to take a chance on any of these guys so the fact that none of them worked out will hurt the Mets.

The Mets have designated shortstop Wilson Valdez and relievers Jon Switzer (lefty) and Connor Robertson (righty) for assignment. Valdez played in 11 games for the Mets after coming over in a trade with the Indians and he was 5 for 24 (.208 avg, .602 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. The Mets will go with Alex Cora at SS until Jose Reyes is ready to return to action. Jon Switzer pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Mets this season and he was 0-0 with a 8.10 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. 27-year old Connor Robertson did not pitch for the Mets this season. In 26 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball this year he was 0-3 with 1 save, a 4.93 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The Mets won’t lose any sleep over losing any of these three guys.

The Mets have acquired 25-year old righty swinging shortstop Javier Castillo from the White Sox. No word yet on what the Mets had to give up to get him. Castillo has played in 50 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 47 for 178 (.264 avg, .722 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 3 homers and 17 RBIs. This was a good pickup for the Mets who need infield help.

The Mets have acquired 29-year old righty swinging outfielder Chip Ambres from the Red Sox. Ambres has played in 52 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 48 for 185 (.259 avg, .703 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers, 18 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Ambres has played in 80 games in his major league career and he is 44 for 189 (.233 avg, .665 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 4 homers, 10 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Ambres will provide depth at AAA for the Mets if they continue to have injury problems at the major league level.

The Mets have traded 33-year old catcher Ramon Castro to the White Sox for 25-year old righty pitcher Lance Broadway. Castro played in 26 games for the Mets this season and he was 20 for 79 (.253 avg, .752 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. The Mets felt that Castro was expendable due to the emergence of rookie Omir Santos. The 27-year old righty swinging Santos has played in 32 games for the Mets this season and he is 23 for 89 (.258 avg, .724 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 18 RBIs. The Mets got a nice return for Castro in Lance Broadway who can start or reliever. Broadway pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the White Sox this season and he is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He has now pitched in 19 games (2 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-2 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. This was a rare trade that will likely help both teams.