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• Satish Ram March 18, 2011 at 11:08 am

  I had wrote a quick post about this, haha, I didn’t realize you were on.

  I think it’s safe to say that it’s a good time to rejoice. Everyone has been wondering hen this was going to happen – it almost seemed inevitable. In addition, it looks like he is the first one cut from the 2B competition. Castillo could barely hit the ball out of the infield anymore and his defensive range has diminished as well as his fan support. I do wish Castillo the best in whatever future endeavors he decides to pursue – including signing with another team.

  I think this is a good sign for the new Mets regime – they aren’t afraid to cut people because of their hefty contracts. This also leaves the door open for basically anybody to win the 2B competition – I wonder if it’s safe to say that Emaus might have a slight leg up because Alderson doesn’t want to offer him back to the Blue Jays. Look for the other guys to be playing with a little more pep in their step after finding out that the “front-runner” for the position was now released.

  It’s also interesting to ponder how much longer Perez is going to be around…

  Good day for Mets fans.
• Metsr1 March 18, 2011 at 11:12 am

  It’s about time. Ollie’s next. BTW..what a peice of crap that Andy Martino of the Daily news is. He thinks the fans hate Castillo based on race. He forgets how they chant JOSE-JOSE-JOSE, give Johan a standing ovation, or clap for Angel Pagan dives. Maybe he gets booed because he’s old, and can’t the ball out of the infield you idiot. Doesn’t help that they can’t get the picture of the dropped pop up out of thier heads. Hell, I’m a Latino and can’t stand the two. Martino is a LOSER.
  • t agee March 18, 2011 at 11:46 am

    There is no accounting for who’s poor play, off the field issues or anything else will result in the Met Fan showing displeasure. Some guys get a pass, some guys don’t.

    A big key is first year production. It can be overcome with great play in later years but if it isn’t can make a lasting impression. Maddningly inconsistent play, especially in pressure situations like with Benitez, Franco and Sisk are best avoided as well.

    Kent took heat, Baerga didn’t. If Bay gets off to a slow start look out.

    Racism is not dead and might account for the amount of hostility Castillo received but that would be a far far distant reason than being lumped in with Perez and the overall anger inducing cycle of big expectations/big dissapointment.
• Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 11:13 am

  Poor Job by Martino indeed to insult most Mets fans by trying to sauggest that racism may be the reason fans dislkiked him..
• Metstheory22 March 18, 2011 at 11:15 am

  GOOD LUCK TO YOU lUIS. Having said that, he need to go. Clean slate at 2nd and one of the other guys can take hold of 2nd.
  One down one to go(Perez).
  • Metstheory22 March 18, 2011 at 11:17 am

    S/B GOOD LUCK TO YOU LUIS
• Mikey March 18, 2011 at 11:17 am

  you know what? This really rubs me the wrong way. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to another year of Luis’ scowling, limping, slap-hitting out there every day.

  The Mets clearly have no solution at 2nd base. By all accounts, Castillo has been outplaying the other guys trying for the job. But Oliver Perez is still on this team. Oliver Perez who should have been immediately released when he refused a minor league assignment last year, forcing The Mets to play with a 24 man roster, is still here. Luis Castillo, on the other hand, last year appeared to be the ONLY Met who understood that if you allow four bad pitches (something which Ollie specializes in) to go by without swinging at them, then you are awarded first base.
• Donal March 18, 2011 at 11:26 am

  And the calls for Michael Young start up again. I hate the media.
  • metsaddict77 March 18, 2011 at 11:38 am

    good, one more douche to go.
• Señor Met March 18, 2011 at 11:37 am

  This is a decision base on PR more than on-field performance, Castillo was the best in 2B race, due to the low tickets sales and management panic.
  Don´t get me wrong, I wanted him gone since 2009, NOT because RACE, But for he´s old (35)
  Diminishing range at the position and, for the most important reason, he got paid $24 million for 4 years, which was the doings of a desperate man (Minaya) for keeping the boat afloat and trying to replicate the success of 2006.
  • Donal March 18, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Luis Castillo’s spring was not all that great. Also, look at the entire body of work and the contract situations of all of the candidates.
  • metsaddict77 March 18, 2011 at 11:44 am

    most mets fans wanted luis to go because he couldn’t hit the ball pass the infield, has no range and his inflated contract for his age, not the color of his skin,c’mon.
• Bayonne Mets Fan March 18, 2011 at 11:42 am

  I’m surprised. While i’m no fan of Castillo wasn’t he performing the best out of all the second base candidates? Isn’t the idea supposed to be bring north the best 25 ballplayers out there that give you the best chance to win games? I’m also surprised Castillo was cut before Perez too, don’t understand that.

  So at second base the Mets send to the minors their best glove and release the best performing candidate.
  • Donal March 18, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Look at the body of Castillo’s work. Do you realyl think he’d be the best option for the next 162 games?
    • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Yes.
      • stick March 18, 2011 at 12:05 pm

        well, they would likely have to sign him for another year, since it is unlikely his body will hold up to the grind of playing FT!

        The guy was terrible last year. absolutely worthless with the bat, and not adding any particular value with the glove. And now he is 35. Where is the upside?
        • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 12:12 pm

          Het hit .300 just the other year, so it’s possible he can come close to that this year. None of the other guys we have can really hit close to that, Murphy could, but he’s a terrible fielder….
          • Donal March 18, 2011 at 12:20 pm

            Castillo is a bad fielder as well. He just can’t cover the hole. Remember just the other day when he couldn’t get to first to finish a double play (which people seem to think is the be all end all of 2B)?

            As for his 2009, compare it to all his other recent years. It was his best BABIP by far in 6 years. It was a fluke.
            • Bayonne Mets Fan March 18, 2011 at 12:26 pm

              You mean it was his best batting average in awhile and that’s all you need to know, not that other useless GARBAGE called babip.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 1:09 pm

                Shh, grown ups talking
              • Berbalerbs March 18, 2011 at 2:09 pm

                @Donal: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Classic.
              • t agee March 18, 2011 at 8:14 pm

                Yeah, I think Luis could make 85% of the plays in the field that the average 2B makes, turn it better than most and get OB about .350.

                His BA and OB though is deceptive because it mostly comes when no one is already OB so the sum of it is less than it would appear. His sac bunting is a concession to his desire to stay out of the DP and he doesn’t take his AB’s deep enough in the count to get BB’s when men are OB because he doesn’t want to have to hit w/men on.

                Things could get ugly for him if we get off to a poor start and he was just a real misguided signing right from the start.

                On a team who’s fan base has been disapointed year after year with big expectations and huge disapointment Luis has come to symbol the overall incompetence of the FO. The 6 M should have been allocated to where it could do some good, not just to have yet another former All-Star making big money who’s one more reason the team is less than the sum of it’s parts.

                But yeah, On a team that could carry him offensively he could help. We’re not that team though.
            • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 12:30 pm

              Yes he’s not a good feilder, but I think he’s better than Emaus and Murphy.

              And if you want to use BABIP, last year was his worst BABIP by far, maybe last year was a fluke? Also his BABIP in 09 was .338, his career BABIP is .329.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 1:14 pm

                Just because he doesn’t get charged with errors, doesn’t mean he’s doing better than the others.

                And his career BABIP is high because it was really high early. Before he had both knees surgically repaired and he lost his speed to run out infield hits.

                Yes, Luis Castillo was a good ball player several years ago. That time is past. He’s not part of a team building its future.
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 2:44 pm

                What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything about Castillo bing charged with less errors than those guys.

                Just look at his stats, his stats from 99-07 are alomst the same as they were in 09 – see for youself. His BABIP was also around the same.

                Just so you know, I don’t think he’s that good anymore. I just think he’s better than all the guys we have. in my opinion, he was our best 2Bman.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 2:53 pm

                Ya, look at his stats for those years. Look at how many infield hits he ran out.

                All before the knee surgery.
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

                Well, I’m sure now that he’s older, he won’t be able to run out as many infield hits. Sure. But maybe instead of hitting over .300 he hits around .270-.280? And you know he’s gonna walk a lot, so he’s going to get on base – you should like that.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 3:18 pm

                Yes, I do, but its the only thing he does. He has no power, can’t run and can’t field his position.

                As I keep saying, its about context and the big picture.
              • Des March 18, 2011 at 3:29 pm

                Maybe Luis would have fielded better if he got rid of his crappy little glove.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 3:41 pm

                And crumbling knees
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 4:38 pm

                Your not looking at the “big picture” donal.

                Murphy isn’t a 2Bman to begin with, I’d rather have a guy who can play the postion, than a guy who has never played the postion, and is going to kill your team in the field. Even if he’s not same as he once was, i’ll rather have a guy who knows how to play 2B, than a guy who doesn’t.

                Emaus has never played a game in the majors, and his minor league numbers are inflated because of that park, he plays bad defense, and doesn’t always try 100%.

                Hu, has hit under .200 in his short time in the majors. I guess you could argue Luis Hernandez is better, but he’s not good either, and everyone down there is saying Castillo is playing better than everyone else.

                I’m looking at the big picture: I’ll go with the guy who knows how to play the postion, and has the ability to get on base a lot, and who is playig better than all of our other options.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 4:43 pm

                “Murphy isn’t a 2Bman to begin with, I’d rather have a guy who can play the postion, than a guy who has never played the postion, and is going to kill your team in the field. Even if he’s not same as he once was, i’ll rather have a guy who knows how to play 2B, than a guy who doesn’t.”

                You’re presuming that Castillo can indeed play 2B. I’m saying he is physically incapable of doing so, which means he in fact has no advantage over Murphy.
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 4:45 pm

                Castillo is not “physically incapable” of playing the postion……
              • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 4:57 pm

                I respect your passionate debate for why Castillo should have been the starter. I want you to know that.

                Having said that Castillo last season hit .235 with no homers and 17 RBIs in 247 at-bats or 86 games take your pick.

                He had all of 6 yes that’s right 6 extra base hits 4 doubles 2 triples. The Mets can not afford to have that poor of an output again at 2b.

                http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castilu01.shtml
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 5:25 pm

                Vinny, castillo is indeed physicalyl incapable of playing the position.

                At least at an everyday level acceptable for major league teams.
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 6:02 pm

                If Castillo was physically incapable of playing the postion on the major league level, then why are the marlins talking about siging him to possibly play 2B?

                http://miamiherald.typepad.com/fish_bytes/2011/03/marlins-have-had-internal-discussions-about-luis-castillo.html

                “The Marlins have discussed Castillo as a low-cost option at second base if Matt Dominguez doesn’t make the club and Omar Infante is moved to third.”

                Why would they be interested in a 2B, who can’t play the postion?
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 6:12 pm

                I think he’s better than what his numbers were last year. I think he could hit about .270 or so…..Even if he hits lets say .250? That could still be better than Hu, and Luis Hernandez, and maybe better than Emaus because he’s never played in the major leagues….

                I don’t think Castillo is good, but in my opinion, he’s better than everyone else we have.
              • t agee March 18, 2011 at 7:42 pm

                Sure, for 400 K someone who lacks any other resources might want to take a flyer on Luis. Why not. The guy they had playing 2B for years (a rule 5) they weren’t going to be able to resign was just traded away. They dismantled two World Championship Teams in 14 years because of payroll concerns. They have a need Castillo might be able to help fill.

                Far cry from a team that has led the NL in spending over the last 20 years.
              • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 7:49 pm

                Vinny B says:
                March 18, 2011 at 6:12 pm

                I think he’s better than what his numbers were last year.

                *********************************************

                You may be right Vinny or you may be wrong. Personally I don’t think he will be better and it seems neither do the Mets.
              • t agee March 18, 2011 at 7:53 pm

                It was an extrodinarily stupid signing. I mean c’mon, a 32 year old who needs knee surgery on BOTH knees? Give me a break.

                Putting A. Hernandez at 2B would have provided exactly the same result and the 6 M saved could have been put into the bull pen, rotation or bench all of which desperatly needed an up grade.

                The only way you could get away with Luis on a team hopeing to contend for a post season berth is if the other position players carried him offensively. Let him do the things he’s capable of, make the routine plays and turn the beautiful DP’s but other than that, you just can’t get away going that lite on offense and that short on range.
              • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 7:54 pm

                Okay…..but What does spending the most money in the NL have to do with Donal’s claim that Castillo is “physically incapable” of playing 2B on the major league level?

                Do you think he is Physically capable of playing 2B or not?
              • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 7:59 pm

                If by “Physically capable” you mean able to play at least 140 games at 2b I say no Castillo is not physically capable.
          • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:26 pm

            The other year is not this year. If we could be assured of a do-over, Luis would be the man. But time marches on.

            Having said that, I don’t know what Luis was like in the clubhouse. Some say he was a cancer. Who really knows? I liked Luis because when he dropped the pop fly against the Yankees, he manned up and tried harder without a wimper. To the extent I know Luis, I think he’s a good guy.

            Luis and Ollie shouldn’t be lumped together. They’re as different as day and night.
            • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 2:48 pm

              I don’t think he’s going to play the same way as he did in 09. But he could come close to something like that. He could hit around .270-.280, and not be as bad in the field as Emaus and Murphy.

              he’s not that good anymore, i get that, but I think he’s better than all the other guys we have.
              • The Coop March 18, 2011 at 3:42 pm

                Exactly what Vinny B said- I love how people are basing the idea of keeping Castillo on what he did in 2009. Forget that he sucks 2 out of 3 years on his contract. Forget that he was good for like 5 minutes in 2007. that’s like saying we should have gotten rid of David Wright after his off-2009 year. What does one have to do with the other? Luis just isn’t good
              • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 4:21 pm

                “Luis just isn’t good”

                Exactly.
            • Des March 18, 2011 at 3:24 pm

              I forgot to say –

              Best of Luck, Louie.
              You’ve given us some good memories!!!
            • Vinny B March 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm

              Right, he isn’t that good, and all the other guys we have aren’t good either.

              Just because I say he’s BETTER than the other guys we have, doesn’t mean I think he’s good. It just means he’s not AS BAD as the other guys we have.
              • Donal March 18, 2011 at 4:37 pm

                Here’s the thing, we don’t really know how good or bad the other guys are. We know Castillo is bad.

                Worst case scenerio now is we are as bad at 2B as last year. But, there is still a higher ceiling. We can reasonably expect whoever plays there to improve as the season progresses.
              • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 4:40 pm

                In the end looking back Vinny it may turn out that like you say Castillo was the least baddest of a bad bunch but even if that turns out to be true I still rather go with any of the remaining guys than for the slight improvement Castillo may provide until a more reliable everyday 2b can take the position.
  • any March 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    best performing is a stretch. He has no EB hits int eh spring, and barely ever gets the ball out of the infield. He also didn’t not show much in the field (range, etc.). Sure, he looks smooth at the job, but if you can’t get to the ball, it really doesn’t matter.

    He had a pretty good OBP (again, small sample size), but nothing else. Unless you are converting to OBP being important, because he sure as hell ain’t producing any runs, especially out of the 8 hole!

    he really had no upside at all. So, mix/match the other guys to get something functional. And like I said last night, opening day does not mean all year. If a few weeks go by and the job isn’t getting done, Tejada and Havens are just a phone call away.
  • JerryG15 March 18, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Butch Husky also had a great spring training with the Mets one year and we know how that turned out.

    Castillo has not performed for the majority of his contract. Prior to his contract when he arrived he had a good finish. He had a good 09, but more then none he did not perform as he has prior to his tenure with Mets.

    While Tejada had a very nice showing in the field when he played last year, it is clear to the entire baseball world that some more time in the minors is what is best for the long term of his development – WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?
    • Bayonne Mets Fan March 18, 2011 at 12:25 pm

      Why is it so hard for YOU TO UNDERSTAND that those are our 2 best fielding second baseman and you need that to win baseball games. PERIOD.

      And I also happen to think that they were WRONG in sending Tejada down so fast! The kid was hitting okay they could have at least give him more time. They gave Russ Adams, Dusty Ryan, & Jason Pridie more time than they did Tejada and second base was more a real competition and a very important position, you just can’t let anybody play there. You don’t hide players at 2B.

      WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND FOR YOU?
      • JerryG15 March 18, 2011 at 12:33 pm

        I know you think they were wrong, but alas you are, hence the kid is where he belongs. You can say it every day, as I’m sure you will, because you know the game as you claim, but the fact is, FOR NOW, he’s in the minors.
        • Bayonne Mets Fan March 18, 2011 at 12:42 pm

          And how do you know that’s where he belongs? Are you a scout? Or do you just say that simply because it was done and you have no opinion on the matter. You let Alderson think for you?
          • Donal March 18, 2011 at 1:52 pm

            Are you a scout? Or are you just attacking every move Alderson makes because new things scare you?
            • Berbalerbs March 18, 2011 at 2:10 pm

              Donal, man…he’s played the game.
              • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:12 pm

                Haven’t we all> Most of us don’t use it as an excuse to try to batter other points of view.
              • Berbalerbs March 18, 2011 at 3:47 pm

                I always mean that sarcastically in this particular context.
            • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:11 pm

              Fear kills.
          • JerryG15 March 18, 2011 at 10:42 pm

            That “you let Alderson think for you” comment is getting very old and worn out, tell the other 2 people in the world that have the same ridiculas opinion as you as well.
      • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:10 pm

        If baseball used a two platoon system like football does, there would be a case for Tejada to play defense and Murphy to play offense. It doesn’t, and neither of these guys have proved they should be the everyday guy.

        Until Sandy makes his decision, every MMO post is personal opinion. In fact, all views on MMO made after Sandy makes his decision are still just opinions.
    • t agee March 18, 2011 at 4:02 pm

      Best fielding like everything should be put in context. Luis is no longer even a good fielder, he COULD marginally hold 2B but that’s about it. Tejada is the only guy who can play better than average. Hernandez at 26 can do more of everything than Castillo can, is less likely to be injured and has a chance (no matter how small) to be better than he has to date. I don’t blame Alderson/Collins for moving on and I don’t blame them for the situation 2B is in right now. They gave everyone a shot, it didn’t work, they could try it the Duquette/Minaya way and make yet another huge mistake or they could try to fix it midseason in a well conceived manner that will last more than a half a season or so.

      Many of the problem areas on this team have been many years in the making and not all of them can be fixed in one off season.

      All you free agent junkies who didn’t get your yearly fix shouldn’t complain too loudly. If we had resigned Mike Hampton like we tried to and wanted to I wonder who we would have had playing 3B since 2004, and if a 40 year old Glavine hadn’t had one years tread left on his tires we’d probably be hopeing Derek Lee had another year in him for 3/21.

      This whole episode of trying to make up for slacking off the last 4-5 years by not scouting, drafting and developing your own multiple in house options reminds me of the kid who never cracks a book all year long, crams all night for the final, and then falls asleep and never hears the wake up call and misses the test.

      I wonder when all of you free agent junkies will hear the wake up call?
• Nester March 18, 2011 at 11:46 am

  Brad Emaus will wow the fans this season and will show why Alderson selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. His on-base skills are unquestioned as his ability to draw walks. He will add some pop into the lineup as well and his defense is better than people think.
• Chris March 18, 2011 at 11:47 am

  All I have to say is thank God!
• Met Maniac March 18, 2011 at 11:51 am

  Saberheads already at work: Should Phillies Sign Luis Castillo

  http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/should-the-phillies-sign-luis-castillo/
  • stick March 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Yes, because it probably makes them worse!
  • Donal March 18, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    As a Mets fan, I say hell ya.

    He does say that it all depends on Utley’s health. If Utley will only miss like 2 weeks, then Castillo is an option. The situation there is very different from here.
• Metstheory22 March 18, 2011 at 12:06 pm

  I am not sure why Castillo thinks the Mets did not use him. Does he mean this spring? He has been here 4 years. We know what he was and what he is now. There has to be someone that can hit the ball past the infield.
• Little Nicky March 18, 2011 at 12:16 pm

  Good, now what about Ollie? And I hope Daniel Murphy wins second base job. He is a better hitter anyway.
• Russell Zanca March 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm

  Bitterness from Luis? I am shocked.

  We’ve put up with his failings and flailings, his lack of the proverbial PMA, and his overall deteriorating condition as an MLB player for too long now.

  Castillo had a fine baseball career, and if he somehow manages to help out another club, then so be it.

  Like most of us, I’m not going into the 2011 season with much verve or excitement, but it does energize me just a little to see the Mets give the hook to those who have done virtually nothing to make us a competitive team.

  Next…
• Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 12:35 pm

  Well Castillo is finally gone.

  Thank God.
• Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 12:36 pm

  How long before the Mets were wrong to release Castillo comments or posts begin?
  • iz March 18, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    At exactly the same time the Alderson is my god posters start reverting their tunes to Castillo really was poison afterall. But the real question that Alderson lovers like you will not address is why did the gm waste valuable time with Castillo in spring training. any good gm would have released him before the spring.
    • Mr North Jersey March 18, 2011 at 1:13 pm

      “why did the gm waste valuable time with Castillo in spring training. any good gm would have released him before the spring.”

      Valuable time? What was lost due to Castillo being released today?

      If in your opinion you think it was wrong to bring Castillo to camp That is fair opinion.

      I don’t agree since I fail to see what the harm was in doing so.
    • t agee March 18, 2011 at 2:29 pm

      A good GM with a good thought process never would have signed Castillo for four years to begin with.

      There are only two plausable reasons to have even considered signing Luis in the first place. One, the old standby, “well who else were we suppossed to get to play 2B?” and two, the possibility that Luis hitting #2 in the line up behind Reyes would afford Jose the chance to steal more often than any other hitter in our line up and that his ability to make contact, avoid strikeouts and hit the ball on the ground would create a lot of hit and run opportunities.

      At the time he was signed Randolph was the manager and did occasionally employ the hit and run. Manuel never did. Also when Jose played Luis was hurt and When Luis played Jose was hurt so that (if it was the idea) never got a chance.

      The downside in the whole arguement though is one, how do you expect a player to be in shape to play when he has to undergo off season surgery on BOTH knees? Two, how can you be sure that the 32 year old second basemen will be the same after surgery on both knees when his game is 100% dependent on his legs? And three, the idea that you could take a chance on a diminished range player (either through recovery from surgery or decline due to age or both) next to a first basemen who had postage stamp sized range is just incredibly poor thought process.

      If there were ever any other options available coming up through the farm system the choice would have been clear. Take the pick Castillo would have left behind and let him sign with the Astros.

      Unfortunately there is almost never any other option available.

      Position players in the draft are at least 2.5 times MORE likely to make it to the Majors than pitchers, yet despite having a few positions left unfilled or filled with the highest possible cost (both in terms of money and to the future in draft choices) we continue to draft one early round pitching bust after another.

      2004 was no exception. Duquette got rid of a decent playing 2B in Relaford and signed Matsui 3/21 M and expected Reyes to play 2B for the next 6 years. Bad decision. That mistake cost us drafting to need (like we did in 2008) and as usual we selected two more in a long line of mound washouts. An overused and abused Rice University pitcher Phillip Humber and slot selection Matthew Durkin (2nd round #44) Boston went overslot with the #65 pick and extracted Dustin Pedroia who arrived in the Majors in 2007.

      Had we selected Pedroia we never would have traded for Castillo, had Butera instead of Santos in 2009 and a supplemental pick in 2008 which could have turned into yet another 2B with an eta of 2013, say a guy like Johnny Giavotella who the Royals selected (2nd round #3, 49th overall) by going overslot and who as a 22 year old hit .322/.395/.460 with 35 2B, 5 3B and 9 HR’s and walks as often as he K’s in AA last year.

      Failing drafting Pedroia for yet another pitching bust, we could have at the very least drafted BOTH Havens (1/22) AND Giavotella since they hit from different sides and we wouldn’t be counting on just one guy, we’d be counting on one of the two. They could at the very least form a platoon or provide much more of a trade than yet another slot selection pitching bust.

      Overkill? Perhaps, but counting on just one guy (Castillo) to get us to another guy (Havens) has only resulted in bad play to begin with, still hasn’t produced a 2B for the future (yet) and with the 6 M saved could have gotten us something better than the leagues worst offensive output from RF (Swisher makes the same 6 M as Castillo)

      Counting on prospects is iffy, that’s why you need to have more of them, not less. Even if it means offending your Bud by not letting other teams draft all the good players after the first round. Of course signing free agents is no sure thing either as Luis, Jason, Billy, Moises, Oliver, Scott, and Orlando could tell you themselves.
      • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:54 pm

        You make some great points but the four year contract that Luis signed while Omar was here was a medium term strategic move that had few alternatives. We let Kaz Matsui go in 2006 because he had trouble performing after his initial promise.

        After the 2007 season, Matsui was the only alternative to Luis and the Houston Astros were hot for Louie. They offered him 3 years for about the same amount as the Mets were offering. Omar wasn’t sure he had anybody beyond possibly Matsui. So he offered Castillo the four years. Omar got his man. It didn’t work out for a couple of the four years. But hindsight is always better.

        P.S.: Kaz signed on with the Astros at better than $5M annually for three years but was released in Year 3. The White Sox, as I remember it, were also after Louie before the 2008 season.
        • t agee March 18, 2011 at 3:38 pm

          Des, That really just goes back to my point. We never have any other options. We’re always painted into a corner. The Perez deal was the same way. Without other options we then make a mistake in too many years or just a flat out mistake period.

          And really I disagree with the idea that we would have to add a 4th year in order to “get” Luis. Why can’t we offer the same deal? Are we that much worse a place to live and play ball that we have to offer more than everyone else? Even the tax off set isn’t as huge as it’s played off to be. Players on the Mets get NY City tax and NY state tax at 50% of their income, Florida, GA, DC and Penn at about 12% and everyone else at whatever percentage of games are played in Colorado St. L ect. The difference in the effective tax rate in Houston-Florida is like 45% of what the whole difference would be so for Luis it probably came to 500 K over 3 years. Make it equal and then let him make his choice.

          One of the staples of free agency is that you have to guarantee a player a year or two more then he will last in order to “get” him. This is stupid. Even if he plays great for you in the beginning, he kills you in the end. What good is that? Especially when so many of these guys kill you right from the start.

          Making sure that we had someone who could at least do something at 2B (or SS) after Matsui’s deal was up would have prevented the whole Castillo situation in 2007/2008, gotten us much better play that would have at the very least given us a couple more wins in 2007/2008 and someone who could do something this year.

          I don’t care if it was 3 different minor leaguers from someone else’s system, a couple of career minor leaguers, a rule 5 who could only play D, a non tender, a type B free agent, someone signed from one of the WBC teams, a one year stop gap, anything. Anything other than yet another high priced, poor playing, frequently injured former All Star.

          Even if we couldn’t find someone who could hit for 2B we could have at least gone with A. Hernandez and put the 6 M into someone who would have upgraded a different position for us. That would have won us a couple of more games in 2007/2008.

          The way it’s been since Fonzie moved on is “who are we going to get to play 2B?” every year and here in 2011 it’s the same thing. If we keep doing the same thing it won’t be long before we catch up to RF where we haven’t drafted a good player in 31 years.

          Need second basemen, scan the free agent list, get second basemen. That’s what rottiserie baseball people do, not real GM’s.

          Robinson Cano cost 250 K to sign, Dustin Pedroia’s signing bonus was 575 K. I don’t know what Prado signed for but I’m reasonably sure it wasn’t 24 M. This s*** has got to end or we will never make it to the playoffs.

          Hard to believe that the team with the highest payroll in the NL over a 20 year period cannot even provide a Second basemen or a RFer for itself.
    • Des March 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      I respectfully disagree. Sandy had to sell his decision to the Wilpons. Seeing Luis personally helped Sandy make the decision he is most comfortable with. If he cut Luis before the spring and Luis caught on with another team and did well, Sandy’s butt would have been blistered.
    • JerryG15 March 18, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      Alderson god posters? WOW new one….

      Alderson lovers – good one

      Pathetic loser………..
• Hitman March 18, 2011 at 2:43 pm

  “Luis Castillo to Newsday on what he said in meeting: “I said I came here to play and you didn’t give me the chance. You didn’t use me.”"

  LOL is this guy delusional or what? Bye bye you bitter piece of crap! Don’t hit the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
• stick March 18, 2011 at 5:07 pm

  I see there were more comments about tejada being “sent down” too early. All they did was officially move him to the MiL side of the complex. Quite often those guys still get used in ML games when they are short bodies.

  there is absolutely nothing stopping the FO from putting him on the roster still to start the season. Or call him up at any time afterward.

  If anything, that move gave him MORE of a look, since he will be getting extra PT over there. Keep in mind that there were still too many options to be sorted through (and fight for PT). So, they moved to MiL camp the youngest guy, with options, that clearly needed more work based on last year. They still, however, get to see him play every day.

  and of course, they already stated that he is the starting SS in AAA if he is there. It is nice to have someone in the organization that can come in to play that position, just in case something happens to Reyes!
• Jim March 18, 2011 at 5:23 pm

  Was it time for Luis to go? Probably. Too much baggage. Though Murphy’s defense is questionable, I would like to see him starting. It will be interesting to see how much offensive output we get from the position with the other “candidates,” particularly OBP. I have a feeling Castillo would have been the best option this year and give Murphy a chance to mature into the position.
• Disciple 13 March 18, 2011 at 7:50 pm

  The Post and News have done nothing but rip Castillo for three years. And they’ve taken countless shots at the Mets for signing him. But now that he’s gone, they’re shocked–shocked!–that this is happened. And they blame management for kowtowing to racist fans. This stuff is unbelievable.

  But be prepared, Met fans, for a summer full of articles claiming that Reyes will not re-sign with the Mets because of their “treatment of Castillo.”

  BTW, before today, had anyone ever read in the NY press about Castillo’s off-field value to the team?
  And if true, why hadn’t Looey been able to improve best friend Reyes’ “maturity” which, according to the NY media is Reyes’ biggest flaw?
• Metsie March 19, 2011 at 9:36 am

  Luis wasn’t great in the field….

  Emaus and Murphy Are?

  Luis wasn’t great at the Plate….

  Emaus and Hernandez are?

  I don’t really have an issue with Castillo getting cut but to say he got cut because he couldn’t hit and couldn’t field would suggest that every guy competing for the 2B job should be cut as well!

  Murphy is the only one who has exhibited any ML talent and thats all with the bat. And since he can play 3B to spell Wright and pinch hit he can at least serve some function with the team.

  But the others are no better than Castillo in eithr glove OR bat and since playing them will not give us 6 Mil to spend somewhere else this season I just don’t see why everyone is so happy about the move.

  It sure isn’t because he is being replaced by a superior player which leaves the only reason left to be PERSONAL BIAS!
• Alan March 19, 2011 at 9:38 am

  A race issue….my arse!

  Luis is gone because he got old too fast. Unfortunately, the Mets management didn’t see it coming when they signed him and kept hoping for a resurgence of his skills. Had they not waited so long to accept his diminished skills maybe they could have traded him.

  Once he dropped that easy pop fly against the Yankees, he became fodder for the less savvy fans and the media. If the rest of this team hits well, the organization should bring back Tejada for his glove until the younger guys are ready. Tejada and Murphy would be okay.
• Thank You, God: Mets Release Perez, Castillo - New York Pudding March 22, 2011 at 10:29 am

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