Are Ramon Castro’s Days With The Mets Numbered?

According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets might not be entirely finished with their off season shopping.

The Mets were unsuccessful in their attempts to shop Ramon Castro this offseason, but they still remain very interested in Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking. Rodriguez, a free agent, is a favorite of general manager Omar Minaya, and the Mets continue to view their depth behind the plate as one of the team’s biggest concerns.

Not only is Castro expensive at $2.25 million, but the Mets worry about his durability at that price and believe Rodriguez would be a better complement to lefty-hitting Brian Schneider.

I thought we were done seeing stories and trade rumors like this one for the time being…

Apparently the Mets are still at odds with the decision to start the season with Ramon Castro as the backup to Brian Schneider.

They are not convinced Castro can remain off the disabled list for an entire season and have concerns with his attitude. Last season, Jerry Manuel confronted Castro after he had missed some time with what was called general soreness. Manuel told him everybody on this team has some kind of soreness and that he was penciling him into the lineup. Castro played.

Ramon Castro homered in his last spring game and reports say he has lost as much as 15 pounds, but that the Mets remain unimpressed.

As for Pudge Rodriguez, I’m not sure about what he has left in the tank, but I guess if the Mets were to sign him for the same money Castro makes he would have to be considered an upgrade even at his age… both defensively and offensively.