Veteran Valentin chooses to stay with Mets

NAPLES, Fla. -- Second baseman Jose Valentin decided to stay with the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract worth about $3 million.

Valentin was scheduled to have a physical Tuesday in New York, agent David Elston said. The deal, which would be finalized if Valentin passes the physical, includes an option for 2008 that could become guaranteed.

The 37-year-old hit .271 with 18 homers and 62 RBI last season, displacing Kaz Matsui as New York's second baseman. He had a $912,500 base salary and earned $300,000 in performance bonuses.

Valentin drove in five runs during the NL Championship Series against St. Louis but his just .182 in the postseason.

He also has played for Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a major league career that began in 1992.