Wilson Antonio Valdéz (born May 20, 1978 in Nizao,
Peravia, Dominican Republic) is a shortstop
currently playing for the Kia Tigers in the Korean
Baseball League.
Valdez was signed as an undrafted free agent by the
Montreal Expos on February 4, 1997. He played on the
Expos Dominican League Teams from 1997-1999 and then
on various Minor League "A" ball teams for the Expos
through 2001.
On March 29, 2002, he was claimed off waivers by the
Florida Marlins and sent to the Marlins "AA" team in
Portland. He continued in the Marlins organization
in 2003, playing with their AA team in Carolina and
their "AAA" team in Albuquerque.
On June 17, 2004, while hitting .319 for
Albuquerque, he was traded by the Marlins with cash
to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for reliever
Billy Koch. The White Sox promptly assigned him to
their "AAA" afiliate in Charlotte where he hit .302
and earned his first major league call-up in
September of 2004 to the White Sox. In limited
action he hit .233 for the Sox.
After the season, he was waived by the White Sox and
claimed by the Seattle Mariners. He started the 2005
season as the starting shortstop for the Mariners.
However, he hit an anemic .198 and was traded to the
San Diego Padres on June 9, 2005. After a stint with
the Padres "AAA" team in Portland, he was returned
to the Major Leagues with the Padres, hitting .231
in August as a utility player.
After the 2005 season, he was released by the Padres
and signed to a minor league contract by the Kansas
City Royals who promptly traded him to the Los
Angeles Dodgers during spring training.
He spent the 2006 season with the Dodgers "AAA"
team, the Las Vegas 51s, where he hit .297 and stole
26 bases.
A spring training injury to the Dodgers starting
shortstop Rafael Furcal in 2007, created an opening
day roster spot for Valdez and he got plenty of
playing time early for the Dodgers; however, after a
quick start he quickly cooled and was returned to
the 51s. On January 3, 2008, Valdez's contract was
sold to the Kia Tigers.
