Mets Distractions Are Gone

It's a moment Mets fans have waited for what seems like eons. The Mets have now disposed of Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo. Yes, it will cost the Mets money. Yes, Castillo looked decent this spring. No, I don't care. I wanted them gone.

It's the first move that truly makes a statement about the direction of this team. No excuses. These guys have been a burden for Mets fans for several seasons, and we've been calling for their heads for months. Now, it finally happened.

What this does is it allows the organization and its fans to move on. You can't complain about them anymore. They can't be a distraction or take a spot in the lineup. It's time to move on...and complain about something else.

Their exit may have been long overdue, but it's hear now and that's all that you could have hoped for. Are the Mets better without them? That's still to be seen. Ok, they're definitely better without Perez, but it's time for the excuses to end and to let us see what this new management and this current lineup/rotation looks like.

Distractions begone. Let's play some baseball.

Photo courtesy of http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/perez-castillo.jpg?w=420

Mets Need an Identity for the Future

Who are the New York Mets? Besides being a painful disappointment the last few years, what do the Mets represent? Think about it. You can ask a dozen people and you'll get a dozen different answers.

Now who are the Braves? What do the Braves represent? They're a team that has been built on solid starting pitching and defense for the last decade and a half. Who are the Minnesota Twins? They're a team built on young, unproven talent who will single, double and scrap their way to a win and have a solid bullpen.

Who are the New York Yankees? They're a team who will buy their way to winning each and every year. Who are the Anaheim Angels? Who are the Florida Marlins? I could go on and on and you'd have a certain identity that you could associate with many MLB teams. They might not always be good teams, but you know what they are trying to accomplish with their ball club.

The Mets don't have that identity. They tried to be a club that would buy free agents to help them win, but that didn't work out. They used to be a team that relied on starting pitching and a 3-run home run to win games, but that's no longer the case.

Are they going to be a speed and defense team? Will they be pitching focused? Should they rely on heavy hitters with the Citi Field dimensions being what they are? For too long the Mets have been searching for an identity. It's time for them to choose one.

Sandy Alderson may be the guy to do this, but they need to come out and say it, then show it by the product they put on the field. The most hypocritical moment of Omar Minaya's tenure was when he harped on how the Mets needed to be solid defensively "up the middle" and then signs Luis Castillo to a ridiculous deal and trades Brian Schneider a year after he made the prior comments when talking about his signing.

Speed, defense, power, pitching or whatever the Mets are in desperate need of a strategy that they can point to for how they will succeed as a team in the future. If Mets fans can have an identity for their team, it will allow the Mets to have some rebuilding years because the fans will know they are building towards a goal.

Right now the only goal we see is to not lose as many games as last year. That's a horrible strategy.

My two cents, the strategy should be solid starting pitching and speed in the lineup, but right now I'll settle for at least knowing what my favorite team is aiming for.

These Mets are Amazing

Amazing in so many ways that you might not always consider. Last night's fall behind/comeback win that was capped off by, wait for it, a Luis Castillo walk off single was a great win for the team. They were able to defeat one of their arch nemesis pitchers in Josh Johnson. They were able to provide run support for one of their starting pitchers for a change. And they were able to get the big hit when they needed it.

Those are all positives. But that's only a fraction of what makes this team amazing.

It's amazing that Luis Castillo batted .300 and we all hate him so much that we don't complain about a guy who's batting below .180 being our starting second baseman.

It's amazing that Mets fans have more confidence in a win when R.A. Dickey takes the mound than Johan Santana.

It's amazing that Mike Pelfrey was mentioned as a Cy Young contender earlier this season.

It's amazing that the Mets can buy a run off of Zach Duke, but pound Josh Johnson who has an ERA of 0.79 over his last few starts.

It's amazing that Jeff Francoeur's average is around .250. It's amazing that he doesn't pop up or strike out every time.

It's amazing that Josh Thole has become a strikeout machine after batting over .400 for the better part of the season.

It's amazing that Rod Barajas carried this team through April and May, but is no longer here.

It's amazing that Bobby Parnell is throwing Vermont cheddar when all of a sudden KRod is no longer in the picture.

It's amazing that this team was 10 games over .500 a week before the All Star break and is now only a game over.

It's amazing that Oliver Perez is still in the major leagues and will make more than any other pitcher on the Mets not named Santana.

It's amazing that after the pain of the last 3 years and a horrid July/August, that I'm still watching every game.

Some things are beyond explanation.

The Second Coming of Anderson Hernandez

The Mets have a long and storied history of tremendous fielders who couldn't get a hit if their life depended on it. Rey Ordonez. Rafael Santana. Anderson Hernandez. And now Ruben Tejada.

Tejada is a young and inexperienced player at the plate. At 21 years old it's amazing that he's even at the major league level playing every day. But we all know the reason why he's here. Necessity.

Tejada would not be in the majors if the Mets didn't have an injured Reyes to start the season and an abysmal Luis Castillo at second. Alex Cora was beyond awful so they released him and made Ruben Tejada the fixture at second base for the remainder of the season. Tejada has the fortune of being a versatile player at the right place and at the right time.

His glove is masterful. I openly admit there have been at least two games in which Ruben Tejada should have notched a save because he prevented hits and runs from happening that any of the Mets other options would have had no chance at stopping. The problem is Tejada has one major flaw. He can't hit worth a lick.

As a replacement for this year, it's worth having Tejada around. None of the other Mets second baseman could hit either so the fact that Tejada is currently batting a whopping .177 is overlooked. I keep hearing Gary Cohen talk about how he's hard to strikeout and makes good contact, but that's because pitchers don't care about striking him out because whenever he hits the ball he's an automatic out.

I'd like to think/hope that Tejada can develop into a major league hitter or at least be serviceable with an average around the .240 mark. But I don't think Tejada is built to be a major league hitter.

Only time will tell but like Anderson Hernandez and Rey Ordonez before him Mets management and Mets fans will soon grow tired of his amazing glove and demand some results at the plate. Tejada may have the rest of this season to enjoy his time in the spotlight, but come next spring he may find himself back in the minors struggling to earn his way back.

Prove us wrong Tejada. I hope you do.

13 Ways to Stay Positive as a Mets Fan

And on the third day...the Mets win. This is bound to be our plight for the remainder of the baseball season. Lose two, win one, if we're lucky. It's difficult to even talk baseball as a Mets fan unless you're commiserating with other down on their luck Mets Lifers.

But you have to try and stay positive while you're waiting for your refill of Zoloft. Here are some ways:

1. You're better off watching the Mets than watching any episode of Glee
2. Any win is a little Festivus miracle
3. Imagine that Bobby Parnell is the second coming of Bill Pulsipher
4. Take joy in the fact that Luis Castillo is your 2009 Mets MVP
   
5. In every Mets game there's a chance you'll get to see someone mortally wounded
   
6. Last preseason football game is this weekend
7. You could be Jeff Wilpon and be down like $700 million
8. Every day is a day closer to ending the pain
9. Find hope in the Phillies potentially losing in the Wild Card to the Rockies
10. In every game there's a chance to witness an embarrassing play that hasn't been seen in the last 50 years
11. Christmas is coming
12. You wanted the Mets to get younger, so now you have your wish
13. Only 30 more losses to get Bryce Harper

A Mets Win Heals Wounds

As bad as I felt on Friday evening and Saturday morning, there was a wonderful sense of relief on Saturday evening as the Mets beat the Yanks 6-2.

Sigh.

Another loss would have sent this team, and by this team I really mean me, into a tailspin. You needed (again by "you" I really mean "me') a win after such a crushing loss to help ease the pain and put it in the past.

I don't know about you, but  I think I saw Castillo actually running away from infield pop ups on Saturday. But Saturday belonged to Fernando Nieve who really pitched an amazing game with A-Rod's home run being the only blemish on his afternoon of work. Here's a guy who hasn't started a game in 3 years and turns in a gem at one of the most prolific hitter's parks in baseball.

Of course his next start he'll last 3 innings and give up 6 runs.

The statisitc that amazed me the most is David Wright's batting average. Here is a guy who many have said just isn't as good as we thought and is leading the majors, that's right Major League Baseball, in hitting with .365 average. This is the first time a Mets player has ever lead the majors in hitting.

Unreal.

Wright is swinging the bat well and let's just pray he doesn't go into another cold spell any time soon.

One more against the Yanks this afternoon. No one wants a win more than Luis Castillo so people can stop talking about Friday night.

Mets, Castillo, Pain and Blogs as Therapy

While I do write on this blog, I do not consider myself a blogger. And while I do write, I hardly consider myself a writer. Instead, I consider myself an unfortunate junkie of the NY Mets. So obsessed with this team for reasons I can never explain, I am a perpetual slave to their torture.

And so to counter that pain, I use this site as therapy. It gives me an outlet to express my frustration, to get things off my chest. To vent, as they say. Those of you who read this site may notice that I write more frequently after a crushing defeat. That's because I need an outlet to go off. (Dave, my counterpat on this aptly named blog, is a prolific blogger and the main engine behind it). My wife, while supportive of my silly addiction to this perennial loser of a franchise, isn't interested in my sulking. She'll listen sure, but she still can't relate and who could blame her? We're talking about a baseball team playing a game. There are a million other important things going on in this world right now that is more important than the Mets winning. But whatever it is inside me, whatever vice is gripping me, I cannot control it. I cannot get rid of it. And when the Mets puke one out like last night, it just knocks me out.

This morning, when I woke up (barely slept mind you) still dazed from the inexplicable "drop" by Castillo, I started to check out the blogs. I needed to find the community of die hard Mets fans who are relentlessly loyal and similarly tortured. There, I found the voices of agony, years of pain heartache, and misery all pouring out like one gigantic therapy session. "Hi, my name is Bryan, and I am a Mets Lifer." "Hi, Bryan." Many articles shared the same sentiment: We're fed up with this team, with this organization. We can't take the hurt anymore. This one was spot on.

And then I checked out Greg Prince's Faith and Fear in Flushing and read the most articulate, the most insightful and honest piece ever written about the Mets and their management. Prince is so dead on accurate about what has happened and what needs to happen in Queens that his piece should be given the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizer for sports blogging. It is that good. Do yourself a favor and check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Don't Blame Castillo For Debacle

This may come as a surprise, but I do not blame Luis Castillo for failing to catch a little league pop up. No, for I always knew Luis Castillo sucked so how could I blame him? The one that deserves all the blame in the world for Castillo wearing...check that...disgracing a Mets uniform is Omar Minaya. He was the one who handed him the most laughable contract in all of baseball two years ago and he is the one who opted to keep him rather than sign All Star second baseman Orlando Hudson for a bag of peanuts this year - WHO BY THE WAY MUST I REMIND YOU - WANTED TO PLAY FOR THE METS!!!! And what do we have to show for it? A gimpy, hobbled old man who freakin' blows one of the worst games I can remember in all of my years as a Mets fan.

OMAR MINAYA, I beg of you, release this person from the club. I do not ever want to see him put on the orange and blue again! It's one thing to have to ednure years of humilation, embarrasment, and downright mocking of our team (on the MLB network, Mitch Williams and Dan Plesac were cracking up about this, in fact, Plesac pulled out a Freddy Krugar glove saying that's what Castillo was wearing). But it's another thing to continue to accept the lacidasical, apatehic style pf play that your team displays night in, night out.

I am so sick and tired of losing. I am so fed up with this absolute garbage of a franchise. Are you kidding me? Are you freaking kidding me? He actually dropped that ball and lost the game?

But you know what? He will be back there tomorow manning second base and we Mets Lifers have to continue taking it. We'll have to continue watching that guy play for our team. Awesome...

Omar you are a joke! Your team is the joke of baseball, around the league. Do you know how many teams are laugning their heads off right now watching that highlight? Do something about it or please, dismiss yourself from this organization because I truly cannot take it anymore. I really can't.

Sad to say, but I was very prophetic when I wrote this post before the season started.

An Alternative Reality

Tuesday's game was very appropriate given the fact that it aired the same night as the series finale of the FOX show "Fringe" who's final episode dealt with the possibility of there being an alternative reality to our current world that's just beyond our reach.

Tonight's game for the Mets was very much an alternative reality to where the team was last year.

Think about it. Up by 3 runs in the 8th, a team comes back to tie it up in the bottom of the ninth. Then in the 10th inning, two outs and nobody on somehow turned into bases loaded and the best hitter in the NL East up at the plate.

That was the 2008 Mets. How many games did we see the Mets blow in the final two innings and have the most positive of situations turn into run scoring bonanzas in the blink of an eye? In a word, countless.

But on Tuesday night the tables turned and a new reality was seen. The Mets became the team with the ability to come back, with a bullpen that can overcome a bad night the day before and hold the opponent when needed.

This was not the best game the Mets have played all season. Far from it. Mike Pelfrey pitched another great game going 7 innings, but leaving down 2 runs. But these are the games that show you what a team is made of. How they scratch their way back and are able to win games. The perfect symbol of how uncharacteristic this game was is the fact that Luis Castillo drove in the winning run on a sac fly. Yes, a sac fly from Luis Castillo.

If this alternative reality continues, I have a feeling I won't know what to do myself. For the first time in a long time I found myself smiling and enjoying the moment even when the Mets were down in th 9th.

Enjoy a Mets game even when they're losing? Impossible, but true.

Fixing David Wright

Move over Freud, Descartes and Dr. Phil. The doctor is in and I'm ready to put David Wright in treatment.

Sure Mr. Wright had a good showing last night going 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, but don't be fooled into thinking his problems are over. The man is on pace to strike out close to 200 times, and the worst part is he's striking out looking at least once a game.

I honestly don't think it has anything to do with Wright's mechanics. It's mental and he needs to see a shrink.

It's a tough economy so I'm willing to help out David Wright with some free advice. Here's what he needs to do to get back on track:

1. Dump his girlfriend: I'm not sure about what Wright's romantic life is like, but if there's currently a girl in the picture she needs to go. Woman are like a virus. More dangerous than that swine stuff going around.
2. Find out what drugs Luis Castillo is taking and ask to borrow some: If Castillo can turn his swing around in just a few short months there's got to be pharmaceuticals in there somewhere. Wright needs to get some.
3. Watch Major League: Whether it's Jobu, Vaughn, that guy who used to be on L.A. Law, there's so much baseball wisdom in that movie that it's hard to know where to start. Wright should watch it at least twice over the next week. Charlie Sheen's greatest performance ever.
4. Ditch the sniffing inside his jersey bit before he steps up to bat: I have no idea where he got this from or why he's doing it, but it has to stop. It's obviously not helping, and he can't smell that great all the time. Or can he?
5. Start taking ballet: Isn't this what all athletes do when they hit a rough patch?
6. Get a new girlfriend: Change starts at home. Out with the old, in with something new. Women are like a virus. Sometimes you need a different virus to get rid of the old one.
7. Touch Johan Santana twice a day: The man is pure baseball magic. It can't possibly hurt.
8. Talk to Beltran's mole: Beltran is on fire. His mole is the size of a small country, and it has to have some impact on Beltran's performance. Like the smoke monster on LOST, talk to the mole to find the secrets to Beltran's success.
   

Is Luis Castillo the Key to the Mets Lineup?

We know what to expect from Reyes, Wright & Beltran. If they don't produce, the team is in a world of hurt. We even know what to expect, for the most part, from Carlos Delgado. If he doesn't produce...again, world of hurt.


So who is the key to the Mets lineup in order for them to get over the proverbial "hump?" Sadly, it might be Luis Castillo.

I've heard some say Ryan Church, which is a decent argument. If he continues to hit well and we see the same type of produciton we saw last April/May last this entire season, Church gives you a nice RBI bat in the middle of the lineup to compliment Delgado.

I don't think the key is Church because we've got a potentially adequate bat behind him in Gary Sheffield. If Church doesn't produce, Sheffield may very well step in and improve on Church's production.

I don't think it's Daniel Murphy because he's a young player sandwiched between Reyes & Wright. He's not the key when you have two MVP candidates acting as bookends for him in the batting order.

Here's why I think it might be Luis Castillo. Castillo bats 8th (as he should), but the bottom of the Mets lineup is painful. If Church struggles you potentially have automatic outs in the 6-9 spots in the order. Even if Church is on his game Schneider, Castillo and the pitcher's spot are as easy an out as you'll find in the NL East.

But if Castillo can get going, it could lead to more run production and the ability of the Mets to turn over the lineup more often so their big bats can get more chances for production. If Castillo shows he can start to get on base and draw walks, I'd even move him to the 9 spot. Pull a little Tony LaRussa.

If Castillo proves to be the same guy as last year the Mets have some serious decisions to make. The bottom of the order is abominable. Do you move Murphy down there just to break it up a bit? Do you cut ties with Castillo and bring up a minor leaguer?

So many questions, very little answers at this point in the season. I'm willing to give Castillo until May to start to show me some rays of hope that he might be an asset to the ballclub. If not, we're looking at 3 guaranteed outs at the bottom of the order.

Jerry Manuel Makes First Smart Move of the Season

We haven't even seen the first pitch of the 2009 season and already Jerry Manuel has made possibly the smartest lineup move. Manuel has confirmed that he plans to bat Daniel Murphy second in the order and move the Luis "The Gimp" Castillo to the 8th spot.

No more drama about batting Castillo leadoff and Reyes third. This is the best place for Murphy. He'll see a bunch of fastballs with Reyes being on base in front of him. He's a contact hitter which is what you want in that second spot, and he'll be sandwiched between Reyes and Wright which is the best protection the Mets lineup can offer.

Also, the eighth spot in the order is the right place for Castillo. He can stay out of the spotlight and hopefully get comfortable enough to get back into the swing of things. He'll get a bunch of walks being in front of the pitcher and we're not asking him to be a serious producer in the lineup batting eighth.

This doesn't automatically guarnatee success for Murphy, Castillo or the Mets lineup, but I think it's the best use of the talent that's available to put the most optimal lineup out there to produce runs.

I truly hope Castillo can get back to his old self this season where he deserves to be a #2 hitter, but I'm not counting on it quite yet.

What's the Deal with all the Mets Injuires?

I know spring training is the time when you have to "work the kinks out," but this is getting ridiculous. It seems like every other Mets player is injured in spring training. What are these guys doing during the offseason?

Castillo is banged up (expected), Church (ok), Pagan (not again), Pelfrey (please, no), and Santana (make it stop). Someone tell David Wright and Jose Reyes to stay away from the other players because this is becoming contagious.

The good news is it's only spring training. Still time to recover, but I think Ryan Church should wear a football helmet everywhere he goes just to make sure he avoids banging his head on something again.

Castillo's Mea Culpa

I like a guy who can admit it when he's a bum, and Luis Castillo surprised me today by doing just that. While speaking to reporters down in Port St. Luci, Castillo confessed that he contacted the Mets after the season and said "he felt badly" about his performance last season and that he was "embarassed."

My normal reaction would be "wow," buy hey he should be embarassed and I'm glad to see he knows that he stinks. Castillo went on to claim that he's lost over 17 pounds and that his knees feel the best they have in years.

It's no secret that we have been ragging on Castillo on this blog for the better part of the past year. Even after this admission of guilt, I still want the Mets to go out and grab Orlando Hudson for the bargain basement price of $4 million for one year, and yes that sound you hear is a dead horse being pummeled.

But with that said, a healthy and productive Luis Castillo is an asset to this lineup. The Castillo of the Marlins and Twins in years past is a good #2 player who plays adequately in the field. However, I'm not convinced that after this mea culpa that's the Luis Castillo we're going to see.

I hope Castillo surprises me and comes out a rejuvenated and sprite little second baseman. Mets Lifers know we need that becaues management appears to be ignoring our cries for Orlando Hudson.

Orlando Hudson for $4 Million?

There’s no indication the power brokers in Washington are looking to do this, but Orlando Hudson needs a bailout package, quick. And the Mets are just the organization to lend a helping hand.

Just 3 monhts ago, people were talking 3-5 years at $10million per for Hudson. Today, according to John Heyman in his spot on WFAN, Hudson could be had for maybe one year and $4million bucks. Again, let me repeat. 1 year, 4 million bucks! If it sounds like I am beating a dead horse on this subject, it’s because I am. The Mets have no choice but to jump in here. There are no more excuses to let this player slip away. He wants to play here, he’s good and he’s so freakin’ cheap it’s ridiculous. My head explodes every time I hear he’s still available and we’re not interested in him.

Omar, please I beg of you. For your long-suffering fan base, for your own credibility, sign Orlando Hudson! If nothing else, we can stop hearing ridiculous stories about silly lineup changes, etc in order to get Castillo going. That in itself should tell you what an issue this team is going to have with Castillo at second. But you have a chance to right your wrong here, to ignite a renewed sense of optimism in this club and Mets Lifers everywhere. All you need to do is stop nickel-and-diming and sign this guy. I don’t expect Manny, but not signing Hudson at this discounted rate would be completely inexcusable and wholly irresponsible as GM of the NY Mets. It’s your move…

Manuel is a Funny Guy

There’s no evidence Jerry Manuel was chillin’ like a villin’ (as Manuel definitely would say) with Michael Phelps last month. There is no infamous photographic of the charismatic Mets manager dubiously inhaling from a cylinder. No, Manuel is just plain ‘ole funny. He’s a natural. His press conferences last year were must see TV as his biting sense of humor always made everyone laugh. He was the polar opposite of the moody, sensitive Willie Randolph.

So was it any surprise yesterday, on his first full day as manager in Mets camp that he opened up with some of his funniest comments ever?

Read the following quote from Manuel yesterday and you’ll see what I mean.

“If we could lead [Castillo] off, which is probably best for him, it might be something we have to do . . . because we have to give him the best possible chances for success in order for us to get [last] year behind him."

Hysterical, absolutely hysterical. That Manuel, he’s a real Barney Rubble. Of course, the kicker in this, the real knee-slapper here is that Jose Reyes will bat third. Third! I mean, we all knew Manuel was witty, but this is pure comedic genius. Chris Rock, look out!

Sit back and take a moment to think how funny this really is and you realize the joke is one for the ages. Manuel, with that charming smile of his, throws us a jab by telling us he’s going to move the best leadoff hitter in the game to the third spot – which is funny enough – but then his knockout blow comes when he tells us he’s replacing him with the worst hitter on the team. Bamn! And we’re down for the count…stomach muscles are hurting; peeing in our pants, laugh out loud funny.

Jerry Manuel, I love you man. You really brought you’re “A” game yesterday. Next thing you’re going to tell us is that Carlos Delgado will be batting eighth…you know…for that second cleanup spot in the lineup.

Orlando Hudson for $5 Millon?

It’s been 11 days since I implored Omar and the Wilpons to sign Orlando Hudson to replace the gimp Castillo at second base. In that time, the Steelers won the third most exciting Super Bowl in NFL history (G-Men/Pats, and G-Men/Bills of course), Robert “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled” Plant became relevant again, and Alex “never felt overmatched” Rodriguez admitted using steroids.

The other thing that has happened is that Orlando Hudson’s stock has plummeted faster than the Dow Jones. Tonight on the MLB Network, Tom Verducci expressed utter surprise that Hudson was still on the market and suggested that he could be had for a mere $5 million bucks and one year. Let me repeat: $5 million…one year! Are you kidding me? That’s the price of Tim Redding, Alex Cora and the third string bullpen catcher for crying out loud. Think about that. If the Mets pass up this golden opportunity to sign a very good player, a character guy…a gold glove switch hitter for crying out loud, then they will be dropping the ball the same way Castillo will be.

If it’s about the money, then I will personally set up cans at every entrance to CitiField to accept donations from Mets Lifers in order to pay his salary. The way I see it, the Mets will draw close to 4 million people in ’09. If everyone dropped $1.20 in the can, we’d have ourselves an All Star second basemen, batting behind Jose Reyes game in, game out. That’s money well spent. Go get Hudson!

Meet the K-Rod

The Mets had dinner in Vegas last night with Francisco Rodriguez. Details of the meeting are under lock and key, but the feeling is the Mets will make an offer to K-Rod this week.

Let the bargaining begin.

I still feel strongly that the Mets should sign K-Rod AND another closer. I think having a two-headed closer rotation would be a huge asset for the Mets. Whether they go get Fuentes, Hoffman, or Street, I don't care. Just give me to guys with a closer mentality to secure those 8th & 9th innings.

All I want for Christmas is a closer and the disposal of Luis Castillo. Please Santa, please.

Naming Names

It's the third day since the end of the Mets season and I'm already hearing people talk definitively about what deals are being made in the offseason. Wow. People are naming names earlier this year than ever before, which leads me to believe that somehow in some way Scott Boras is behind this.

I've heard Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia, K-Rod, Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Derrick Lowe all linked to the Mets in the last 48 hours. And this is not hearsay from bloggers or water cooler chat. This is from online and offline media. It's crazy.

Right now any names linked to the Mets are guaranteed to be wrong. Remember last October when A-Rod was all the rage? See how that worked out. Then there was the talk about the Mets farm system being too weak to make a deal for Santana. Strike 2.

And then last fall there was the ridiculous idea that the Mets would sign Luis Castillo to a multi-year deal. Oh wait. . .

In any case, don't believe the hype. Don't pay attention to names at this point, or at least don't take them seriously. If you want to dream about Roy Halladay in a Mets uniform, please do so. If you want to envision Manny as a Met, knock yourself out, but don't take it as gospel for a second.

It's way too early. The only names that you can guarantee will be Mets next season are Wright, Reyes, Santana & Beltran. That's right, I said Beltran.

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1.02.05

I'd Like a No Thank You Portion of Luis Castillo

My parents used to tell me that when I went over someone's house to eat and they were serving something I didn't like I should just take a "no thank you" portion, meaning just a little bit so as not to appear rude.

I'm ready for the Mets to start taking a no thank you portion of Luis Castillo.

I understand we're paying him big bucks and he's a veteran, but enough is enough. Put him in the game when we need a sac bunt or to pinch hit leading off the inning, but otherwise I want to see Argenis Reyes or Daniel Murphy at second base.

Reyes was in a groove at the plate when he was able to play everyday. Since he's been relegated to the bench, Reyes has struggled at the plate which is to be expected from a young player.

The big question is why isn't Daniel Murphy given a chance at second. Hmmm. He's batting over .300. He's as clutch, if not clutcher than anyone in the Mets lineup. He's currently playing OUT OF POSITION! Why wouldn't we stick him at second and get his bat in the lineup. Then you could platoon Endy Chavez and Nick Evans in left.

I understand that Manuel wants to limit Murphy's at bats against left-handed pitchers, but he's going to have to face them at some time. And right now I'll take Murphy facing a lefty over Castillo facing anyone.

In any case, Castillo is not that stellar a fielder or batter to warrant his playing every day. Get him out.