Mets Fans Ask, Who's On Second?

What do Richie Rivera of Mets Public Record and Mets manager Terry Collins have in common? They both believe that the second base position should be considered a defensive position. Looked upon more for his bat than his glove, here’s a small sample of what Luis Castillo could bring to the Mets if he’s able to play everyday at second base.

Luis Castillo 2B (1996-2010) 15 MLB seasons, 10 yrs with Florida, played in 152 games for the 2003 World Series Champion Marlins. In addition to a World Series ring, Castillo found himself receiving votes for the NL MVP as well. He also spent some time with the Twins, now he’s with the Mets. When healthy, Castillo has been able to produce on a consistent basis in terms of batting average and on-base percentage year after year.

From 2002-2007, 6 seasons as a Marlin, one-and-a-half as a Twin, and one-half as a Met, you’re looking at a .301 BA and a .371 OBP in around 142 games a year. During that span, Castillo averaged 168 hits, 87 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases (48 in 2002).

But I feel that in 2000, at the age of 24, Luis had his best offensive year. Career highs in batting (.334), on-base percentage (.418) stolen bases (62), runs scored (101), and walks (78) are proof that this particular season is a step above the rest.

For more of Castillo’s stats, check out baseball reference.com.

Mets Fans Need Answers to Some Tough Questions

Will the Mets finish this season at .500, above, or below?

Is R.A. Dickey one of the top starting pitchers in the National League?

Who will make their way back into the Mets starting lineup first, Jose Reyes or Jason Bay?

Could these last five weeks with the NY Mets be Luis Castillo's swan song with the ball club?

Is Chip Hale capabale of becoming the next hitting coach for the Mets?

Let me know what you think.

Mets Should Either Shape Up Or Ship Out

Prior to the All-Star Break or Pre-Beltran, the Mets had a nice makeup…younger outfield with Frenchy, Pagan, and Bay…a nice smooth DP-tandem in Reyes and Tejada w/Wright and Davis on the corner infield spots…Thole would be getting more PT as well…strong starting pitching and a so-so bullpen back ended w/an All-Star closer in Rodriguez.

Now, the lineup is a little older w/Castillo and Beltran not to mention that both of them are coming off of long stints on the DL and if Barajas didn’t land on the DL, he would have been starting over Thole.

I don’t blame Beltran…I personally felt that the absence of Reyes after that PR series was the Mets downfall, but there is some truth to blaming Beltran, not him specifically but the veteran movement that has now superseded the youth movement that made the Mets so exciting before the break, throw in Ollie Perez and you have a big bowl of been-there-done-that with those three guys…we’ve seen what Beltran, Castillo, and Perez can give ‘ya, I say, “shape up or ship out.”

Minaya Is Betting That Perez Goes Quietly into the Night

For those Mets fans who thought that GM Omar Minaya had lost his pulse, well, you were surely mistaken. At the start of tonight’s game, fans were informed that veteran second baseman Luis Castillo was being placed on the disabled list with a bruised right heel and fourth outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. was being designated for assignment. That said, Minaya’s pulse is alive and kicking!

Two fresh bodies from the minor leagues will take their place in the form of infielder Ruben Tejada and catcher Omir Santos, who amongst Mets fans has something of a cult following. Another reunion of sorts will be with left-handed starter, Jon Niese, who reinjured his hamstring several weeks ago, underwent rehab, and is now scheduled to pitch on Saturday. For the Mets to activate Niese, they will need a roster spot.

Unfortunately though for Minaya, accommodating Niese will be no easy task. Why is that? Southpaw Oliver Perez, that’s why. According to his critics, Perez has been accused of standing his ground inside the Mets bullpen like a sanitation worker requesting a standard-of-living raise. His agent, Scott Boras, has recommended that he see a sports psychologist although Mets management had previously scoffed at that idea.

Instead, the Mets seem to have strong feelings about Perez needing a committed stay inside Triple-A to help cure what is ailing him. As for Mets fans, they most likely would opt to dumping the washed-up bastard. I guess we’ll just have to wait-and-see. Until that decision is met, fans in addition to Omar will continue to see the drama unfold on the back pages of local tabloid newspapers.