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Luis Castillo

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 02:20 PM

Things you may or may not know about Castillo... Doesn't really steal anymore, and wasn't too efficient when he did. Has a bit of belly, and may join Roger Cede&#241o and Vince Coleman in the category of "fast Mets who had a bit of a belly." Once had a 35-game hit streak. Like many switch-hitters, he's a different hitter righthander (driving the ball into the gaps, than lefthanded (slap it towards the hole and run). Has only put up an OPS+ of over 100 three times, and is currently at 90, though that's not fully indicative because OPS+ undervalues OBP. From the legendary San Pedro de Marcoris. The Twins got him for two minor leaguers, and are now trading him for two minor leaguers. Is part of a group of smallballing Twins --- along with Jason Tyner, Jason Bartlett, and Nick Punto --- nicknamed the Pirahnas. Well, he was. Hits millions of grounders. Isn't Mark Texiera What else do you know about Luis Castillo?

DocTee Jul 30 2007 02:22 PM

Currently in the top five all time for highest percentage of hits being singles.

metsmarathon Jul 30 2007 02:22 PM

we could've had him instead of kaz matsui, i think...

metirish Jul 30 2007 02:23 PM

BR has him listed at 145 lb......thinking that's not true,not at 5' 11" anyway.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 30 2007 02:27 PM

His lifetime numbers against the Mets are pretty similar to his overall numbers: http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=4926 .298 batting average, .364 OBP, .352 Slg. 35 steals in 115 games, which is pretty darn good. (He can probably tip his cap to Mike Piazza for that one.) A total of 132 hits, 115 of them were singles.

Willets Point Jul 30 2007 02:27 PM

Holy shit! A second baseman!

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 02:37 PM

Castillo is definitely carrying more than 145 under his shirt. I'd guess 170.

Centerfield Jul 30 2007 02:41 PM

ESPN says he's 31. Not sure I believe that.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 02:44 PM

Will he and Andy Hernandy arm-wrestle for 1? That's a lot of Dominicans in our infield.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2007 02:44 PM

Wow, a new thread for breaking news ... what a concept!! Castillo is on the final year - an added on option year actually - of a contract that started in 2004. We'd only be responsible for a portion (~35%) of his 2007 salary with no apparent buy-outs or bonuses added on. He'd then be a FA after the season. Recent salary history: 3 years/$16M (2004-06), plus $5.75M 2007 option 2007 option vested 8/06 $2M signing bonus 04:$4M, 05:$4.5M, 06:$5M, 07:$5.75M club option ($0.5M buyout) 2007 option becomes guaranteed with 501 Plate Appearances in 2006 re-signed as a free agent 12/03 1 year/$4.85M (2003), re-signed 12/02 $50,000 incentive for 550 PAs 1 year/$3.325M (2002), avoided arbitration 1 /02 1 year/$2.2M (2001), avoided arbitration agents: Levinson brothers ML service: 9.055 That last figure means he had 9 years + 55 days in the major leagues at the start of this current season.

Rotblatt Jul 30 2007 02:48 PM

We'll get supplemental draft picks if we don't resign him this year.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2007 02:53 PM

Well, those picks will depend on what "Class" of FA he qualifies for after the season and whether or not we choose to offer him arbitration.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 02:54 PM

I'm thinking he gets DLtran's spot on the roster.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 30 2007 02:55 PM

What are the odds that cleonjones11 shows up saying Omar only made this deal because Castillo is Hispanic? About the odds of not finding a Beatles song on the radio in 1965.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 02:59 PM

You're big on the pre-emptive critiques today.

Nymr83 Jul 30 2007 03:26 PM

could be worse, i dont love the guy but he's not bad, he gets caught stealing too much, i hope he has the red light alot with the big guys up if he hits 2nd.

sharpie Jul 30 2007 03:49 PM

I like his defense at second base. I suspect Gotay will still get the odd start and that Easley'll mostly be a backup outfielder.

OlerudOwned Jul 30 2007 04:05 PM

sharpie wrote: I like his defense at second base. I suspect Gotay will still get the odd start and that Easley'll mostly be a backup outfielder. Zone rating actually puts Castillo toward the bottom of the AL in defense at second base, which would fit in with many Twins fans opinion that he tends to give minimal effort in the field. I'm hoping that by taking him off the killer turf and throwing him into a pennant race will light a bit o' fire under his ass.

sharpie Jul 30 2007 04:10 PM

Have to admit that I haven't seen him much since he went to the Twins. He seemed to scarf up everything as a Marlin as I recall.

OlerudOwned Jul 30 2007 04:14 PM

sharpie wrote: Have to admit that I haven't seen him much since he went to the Twins. He seemed to scarf up everything as a Marlin as I recall. I know he has made comments about not liking the artificial turf, and the effect it's had on his legs may be part of the problem. It's also worth mentioning that his ZR is still higher than Gotay's.

Kid Carsey Jul 30 2007 04:25 PM

SNY just said the Mets have a new second baseman and Castillo's the guy. They didn't say yet what the terms of the trade are.

Kid Carsey Jul 30 2007 04:29 PM

I think they said Martin and Butera, but I was on the phone.

metsmarathon Jul 30 2007 04:32 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: ="sharpie"]I like his defense at second base. I suspect Gotay will still get the odd start and that Easley'll mostly be a backup outfielder. Zone rating actually puts Castillo toward the bottom of the AL in defense at second base, which would fit in with many Twins fans opinion that he tends to give minimal effort in the field. I'm hoping that by taking him off the killer turf and throwing him into a pennant race will light a bit o' fire under his ass. a fast turf could conceivably depress his zone rating... maybe.

seawolf17 Jul 30 2007 04:51 PM

Kid Carsey wrote: I think they said Martin and Butera, but I was on the phone. With Omar, of course. I like Castillo; good move.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 05:18 PM

I'm a fan of zone rating, but artificial turf is really the exception these days and it certainly may skew results. We should check the data on Twinkie infielders over a few seasons. This puts me in mind of Bordick.

TransMonk Jul 30 2007 05:24 PM

Edgy DC wrote: This puts me in mind of Bordick. Now that you mention it... I would totally agree had we given up ML talent...Castillo's a little less of an overreaction based on needs.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 06:00 PM

Yeah, I'm not saying it's absolutely analogous. But I probably would have argued that we could have better used an outfield bat in 2000 also.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 30 2007 06:09 PM

I suppose we could still see Jay Payton or Jeff Conine.

cleonjones11 Jul 30 2007 06:31 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: What are the odds that cleonjones11 shows up saying Omar only made this deal because Castillo is Hispanic? About the odds of not finding a Beatles song on the radio in 1965. Castillo is totally over the hill

cleonjones11 Jul 30 2007 06:35 PM

I was hopimg it was Carlos Bellcrap for Torri Hunter Carlos has quads from the Godz..they suck..

Nymr83 Jul 30 2007 06:42 PM

Hunter is two years older than Beltran, and his career obp and slg are each 20-30 points lower than beltran's. Hunter has never sniffed a season half as good as the one Beltran has last year. Hunter's best OPS+ was 126 in 2002, Beltran has topped that number 5 times and is only 3 pts under it this yaer. i wouldnt make that deal and anyone who would is crazy.

cleonjones11 Jul 30 2007 07:08 PM

Nymr83 wrote: Hunter is two years older than Beltran, and his career obp and slg are each 20-30 points lower than beltran's. Hunter has never sniffed a season half as good as the one Beltran has last year. Hunter's best OPS+ was 126 in 2002, Beltran has topped that number 5 times and is only 3 pts under it this yaer. i wouldnt make that deal and anyone who would is crazy. Hunter plays...Hard...Next time we see Beltran on the field and getting a 2 out hit with runners on get back to me. Hunter plays a better CF also. You're nutz..

Johnny Dickshot Jul 30 2007 07:21 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 30 2007 07:22 PM

I was kinda against the Mets getting Castillo 4 years ago so I'll keep to that position, at least mildly. We're not giving up much and he just might be a Type A FA. The D should be a plus but I'm only OK on singles hitters. He better keep that OBP up.

seawolf17 Jul 30 2007 07:22 PM
Who would you rather have? Player A or Player B?
Player A	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Men On, 2 out	296	74	79	17	1	13	82	21	2	60	18	8	.267	.320	.463	.783
Player B	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Men On, 2 out	226	103	64	17	0	16	79	46	3	47	42	6	.283	.411	.571	.982

seawolf17 Jul 30 2007 07:23 PM

Nuts. Someone can feel free to fix my html.

Nymr83 Jul 30 2007 07:32 PM

cleonjones11 wrote: ="Nymr83"]Hunter is two years older than Beltran, and his career obp and slg are each 20-30 points lower than beltran's. Hunter has never sniffed a season half as good as the one Beltran has last year. Hunter's best OPS+ was 126 in 2002, Beltran has topped that number 5 times and is only 3 pts under it this yaer. i wouldnt make that deal and anyone who would is crazy. Hunter plays...Hard...Next time we see Beltran on the field and getting a 2 out hit with runners on get back to me. Hunter plays a better CF also. You're nutz.. Beltran is a legit goldglover, where can i get whatever you've been smoking, it must be good stuff.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 07:37 PM

And it's not his quad that Beltran hurt. What does getting a two-out hit with runners on have to do with playing hard? Any idea how many Hunter has?

metsguyinmichigan Jul 30 2007 08:02 PM

I like the trade. Didn't cost us much -- like Bordick did -- and Gotay is still there if it doesn't work out. As for saying you'd rather have an outfielder, well, who is to say Omar's not working on getting one?

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 08:49 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 30 2007 10:13 PM

Well, I'm going to argue that Bordick didn't seem to cost us much at the time. I don't think that Melvin was on anybody's list of blue chips. But, yeah, my point was less about the compensation, more along the line of exaggerating the need in the infield vs. the outfield, and getting a name brand rather than an actual contributor.

Nymr83 Jul 30 2007 08:57 PM

i loved the Bordick deal at the time, some things just don't work out

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2007 09:01 PM

The Mets already had Torii Hunter, we just called him Mike Cameron at the time.

metirish Jul 30 2007 09:03 PM

I like this trade,Castillo is a smart player with post-season experience,can hit second and will form a dynamic double play combo with Reyes.

metsmarathon Jul 30 2007 09:05 PM

this year and last year, beltran has a higher zone rating than hunter. this year, beltran has a whopping two errors to hunter's one. last year, hunter had four, beltran only two. um, lets see... how exactly is hunter a better centerfielder?

Nymr83 Jul 30 2007 09:06 PM

in clownjones11's world anyone who isn't on fire the past week or so is a horrible player who should never have been brought in.

Gwreck Jul 30 2007 10:09 PM

Kinda scratching the head at this one. Not that we gave up anything major, but I guess they're serious about shoring up the D, because I wonder if Castillo is really that much of an offensive upgrade over an Easley/Gotay platoon. New lineup at full strength: (??) Reyes SS Castillo 2B Beltran CF Wright 3B Delgado 1B Alou LF Green RF LoDuca C

cleonjones11 Jul 30 2007 10:34 PM

Nymr83 wrote: in clownjones11's world anyone who isn't on fire the past week or so is a horrible player who should never have been brought in. Thank you very much..What has Beltran really done for us..one good year..thats it...Lotta nice catches...But my opinion and apparently mine alone he is an overrated primadonna that doesn't give his all. yeah he came back in 5 games after a bad injury.its his job. Lets see how much more money Hunter gets than beltrans makes. Then the Yankees will have the best CF in town.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 10:35 PM

Along with Jeff Conine and Rick F. Helling, one of only three Marlins to play for both of their championship clubs. The only one of the three not to leave and come back in the interim. Flew out to once and future Met Jay Payton to end the Twins 1997. Is coming to New York for a catcher who is underperforming at AA and an outfielder who is too old for his league at A+. His favorite player growing up: Alfredo Griffin. Tore a labrum and had it surgically repaired back 2002. Taught himself to slide feet-first (imagine) to protect his sore sholders. Recently missed a team flight to Canada, when he forgot his resident visa back home in Miami.

TransMonk Jul 30 2007 10:44 PM

Gwreck wrote: I wonder if Castillo is really that much of an offensive upgrade over an Easley/Gotay platoon. New lineup at full strength: (??) Reyes SS Castillo 2B Beltran CF Wright 3B Delgado 1B Alou LF Green RF LoDuca C IMO, that's a pretty potent lineup at full strength. Is Castillo a better offensive player than Easley or Gotay straight up? Probably not, but Castillo batting second should prove to be more consistent in balancing the lineup than Easley, Gotay or anyone else in that spot. It also improves the bench as well. Now, whether or not we'll ever see that lineup at full strength is an entirely different story.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2007 10:59 PM

If the Yankees want to pay Hunter more money than Beltran, they can have him. Castillo thread.

Farmer Ted Jul 31 2007 06:14 AM

"His favorite player growing up: Alfredo Griffin." Alfredo Griffin sold me a pair of sneakers. While toiling in the minor leagues in the 70s, Alfredo was playing for my hometown minor league team. He had a part-time job at a local sporting goods joint. Slapped a pair of adidas on my feet and thanked him very much. Should have gotten an autograph. But I digress. I'm in the Gotay corner. Play Ruben NOW!!

metirish Jul 31 2007 07:33 AM

Castillo thrilled about leaving. ] "That's a little surprise for me, because the team this year, I think we're still in the race," Castillo told Minnesota reporters, referring to the Twins. "I've seen this team come back from 10 games before, and we're 6-1/2 games, and I think we can turn it around. ... I don't feel too good because I like the team and I think this team can do a lot. And I've had fun this year."

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2007 07:51 AM

I'm sure he'll have a different perspective when he talks to the New York media. "Sure, I didn't want to leave the Twins, because they're a great group of guys. But I'm really excited to be joining the Mets, a team in first place, and with a great shot at winning the World Series. And that's what it's all about."

Willets Point Jul 31 2007 07:52 AM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: I'm sure he'll have a different perspective when he talks to the New York media. "Sure, I didn't want to leave the Twins, because they're a great group of guys. But I'm really excited to be joining the Mets, a team in first place, and with a great shot at winning the World Series. And that's what it's all about." I hope not. I hate sycophants.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 07:54 AM

Elephants with a persistent cough.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2007 07:56 AM

Well, what do you expect him to say? "Gosh, I wish I was still in Minnesota. I've always hated New York. I've already won two World Series so I don't need another ring. I'd rather stay in third place where there was no pressure and I could relax. And anyway, Omar only traded for me because I'm Hispanic."

metirish Jul 31 2007 07:57 AM

I wonder how much influence if any Randolph had in Minaya trading for a better glove at second.

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2007 08:10 AM

I'm on board with this deal despite being against signing him when he was the popular choice among many as a FA 4 years back -- although considering that the alternative was Matsui is wwould have turned out better than the choice we made. Back then I wasn't sold on his lack of power (amazing how many fans like to put down power when evaluating players), his over-rated base-stealing skills, and his general slap-happy hitting style. But getting him then meant committing for 3-4 years and a decent amount of money. Now, it's for 57 games and at the cost of just two semi-prospects. He also fills two holes we currently have: - solid OBP guy in the 2nd hole (.350 - .390 in each of the last 6 seasons) - and a good defensive 2nd sacker The biggest complaint is going to be how Gotay is getting tossed aside after having a great month or more but, even beyond the glove questions, there are signs that the offense isn't going to continue. First there's the non-existant walk rate: 7 in 130+ PAs; and (as someone pointed out somewhere) the almost insane BABiP numbers he's putting up. Not that he's not stinging the ball now and then, but even those who don't fully buy into that theory should be noticing from just casual observation that virtually every ground ball this guy hits has been finding a hole. Eventually that worm's gotta turn, and now Gotay can become a decent threat off the bench and remains a possible option ofr the future. Not turning cartwheels here, but I think we're a better team today than yesterday and the future wasn't damaged to get there.

duan Jul 31 2007 08:22 AM

"I wonder how much influence if any Randolph had in Minaya trading for a better glove at second." THAT is an important question and also one that'll probably remain unanswered. I do think one of the fears with Willie and MOST managers that i've seen is their failure to trust young players in situations like this and their desire to 'get a guy who's done it before'. It's a risk minimisation thing BUT i do think it's the biggest single failing of baseball's current front office & management people. You can argue that the mets have the $ to spend and if THAT is how they risk manage (paying more for certainty) that's ok, but too often they seem to actually reduce the margins rather then improve the midpoint. We KNOW that Luis Castillo will get on base at a 330+ a bit clip, that he'll play OK defense, but he's not going to go all Chase Utley on the league, which is what Ruben Gotay is doing now. Sure, Gotay could tank for the next 50 games, but how far would he have to fall for it to be worth NOT taking a chance on him having made a step forward. FWIW's this IS NOT something that's unique to the Mets by any stretch of the imagination.

metirish Jul 31 2007 08:28 AM

I like the trust angle and the fact that Willie was a good second baseman plays into this I think,perhaps he's watching Gotay there not making plays that he knows should be made.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2007 08:29 AM

I hear what you're saying, but I think this is the kind of move you really ought to make given the time of year and the Mets position in the standings. If they were in fourth place, I'd strongly be in favor of them letting Gotay play every day the last two months to see if he's an option for next year. But August and September, in what may be a very tight pennant race, isn't the time to experiment, or to worry too much about 2008.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 08:33 AM

Maybe we can check the data and see if rookies make more errors-per-inning in the post-season than vets do. I doubt it. On the other hand, it was the post-season when Rick Ankiel's control fell apart.

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2007 08:39 AM

A few other thoughts: * He (theoreticaly at least) improves our 2nd base hitting against LHPs (his L/R stats are virtually identical) although one could argue that a platoon of Easley could have done that too * You hope his slappy-type of hitting was NOT a product of turf fields - although there didn't seem to be much of a change when moving from Fla to Minn

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2007 10:18 AM

LoDuca on Castillo (who he played with in Florida): "One of my favorite teammates ever ... New York's gonna love him" Of course if he really hated his guts I'm sure he'd readily volulteer that info on a 50K-watt radio station

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 10:25 AM

And on this day, Luis Castillo was tagged with The Curse of Pecota.

Gwreck Jul 31 2007 10:41 AM

ESPN's Keith Law doesn't think much of the trade: ] Luis Castillo might represent an upgrade over Ruben Gotay, and he might not. Castillo is a one-dimensional player whose game revolves around his speed. He's a classic slap hitter who can't even turn on average fastballs but who hits the ball on the ground and tries to slap harder stuff the other way and beat balls out with his speed. His speed has already started to decline; his range at second base, never great, is now poor, and he hasn't been an effective basestealer since 2004. He's the antithesis of everything the Omar Minaya's Mets do as an offensive club. Their best hitters -- Reyes, Wright, Delgado and Beltran -- all get on base, hit for power, and (except for Delgado) steal bases at high percentages. Whether he's really an upgrade depends on how much of Gotay's offensive outburst this season is real. Gotay's career was nearly derailed by the Royals' ridiculous policy of jumping players two levels or more to the majors before they were ready, a policy that fortunately seems to have ended with the hiring of GM Dayton Moore, but before that showed promise as a young infielder with plate discipline and some doubles power. The Mets are convinced that Gotay's defense isn't good enough to be an everyday second baseman, and he will never be better than average defensively at second, but he's better than Castillo is. Add to that the fact that Gotay has a little more thump in his bat, with a solid line-drive stroke that produces doubles rather than the groundballs Castillo hits, and it's really not clear that the Mets got better here. It's a bit worse if, as rumored, the Mets try to work out a contract extension with Castillo, because once his speed is gone, he'll be close to a replacement-level player. The Mets didn't give much up to acquire Castillo. Drew Butera is a catch-and-throw catcher with plus makeup and good bloodlines -- his father, Sal, played in the big leagues for the Twins and is now a pro scout with Toronto -- but he's not much of an offensive threat. He should play in the big leagues because of his defensive skills, but he's not a starter, even when he wasn't staring up at Joe Mauer on the depth chart. Dustin Martin was a senior sign out of Sam Houston State in 2006 and is an organizational player with a little bit of ability; there's an outside chance he could improve enough to become a 4th/5th outfielder in the majors.

metirish Jul 31 2007 10:44 AM

Gotay has better defence than Castillo?.....if that's true then it changes my view.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2007 10:45 AM

I would hope that the Mets would at least wait until they're done playing in 2007 before talking about a contract extension with Castillo.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 10:46 AM

Sort of my analysis also. They're jumpy and they went after experience.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 31 2007 10:47 AM

]Luis Castillo might represent an upgrade over Ruben Gotay, and he might not. The kind of insight Baseball Prospects and ESPN Insider charges you for... free! Thank you, Keith Law. It's all clear now.

Gwreck Jul 31 2007 10:50 AM

In fairness to Keith Law, he's usually a lot better (and I submit the rest of the article is too) than that one Madden-esque sentence.

Vic Sage Jul 31 2007 10:56 AM

Castillo is a steadier defensive player, but his range has decreased as his knee injuries have increased. In a fantasy league, you'd pick up castillo off the waiver wire, but continue to play Gotay as long as he stayed hot. In the real world, however, if you put Castillo on the bench behind Gotay, he'd be so upset you'd likely lose him as a player for the remainder of the season. And when Gotay cools off, as he is likely to do (given his minor league numbers and high BAPIP) you'd have nobody reliable to turn to, other than Easley. And, also unlike in fantasy baseball, defense counts... at least a bit. what i've seen of Gotay makes me think that he's erratic enough to make Willie nervous, and so Castillo was brought in to soothe WWSB's low tolerance for defensive inconsistency. i'm not against the move, based on the low committment to Castillo and the relative value of what we gave up for him, but by putting Gotay on the bench, we're losing one of our hotter hitters in exchange for a guy that gives you nothing more than an ocasional single these days. I doubt he gains us more defensively than he gives up to Gotay offensively. However, since i was dubious of Gotay's ability to maintain this level of offensive production, i think we would've ended up with more of Easley and Marlon Anderson at 2b, by the end of the year, and i think Castillo is superior to that combo, overall. And so, i think Castillo will be of more valuable in October (if we get to post-season) than Gotay, due to consistency playoff experience, and the likelihood of Gotay's decline the longer he plays. So if we survive the balance of the season with a lead, this move may help in the post-season.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 11:15 AM

Funny that most of us dislike intangible cliches like"He's been there before; he knows what to do," but we're mumbling them through gritted teeth. In short, the guy's not all that, but we're all a litle nervous about Gotay after seeing him throw away a game on a DP ball, and now we're a little less nervous, and so welcome a guy whose name and salary probably outweigh what he's actually bringing to the table. Bordick, man, Bordick.

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2007 11:23 AM

btw, obviously a roster move will need to be made .... I assume it'll be a Beltran DL-ing. I don't think he even made the trip to Wisconson.

Rockin' Doc Jul 31 2007 11:24 AM

While I don't think that second base was the Mets position of greatest need, I do believe that Keith Law is selling Castillo's abilities short. Castillo definitely is not a a power hitter by any stretch of the imagination, never has been. He does however, hit for a high average, has a good OBP, and consistently makes contact. His defense is also better than the article would make one think. Castillo has 3 Gold Gloves on his home mantle, the last one as recently as 2005. Though his speed is not what it once was, he still runs pretty well. A look at what Castillo has done the past 2+ seasons shows his value as a second place hitter if he can continue to produce at the same rate in New York. 2005....301/.391/65/32 (AVG/OBP/BB/K) 2006....296/.358/56/58 2007....304/351/29/28 Gotay has been a very pleasant surprise this season and may well play a significant role in the Mets future, but I have no great problem with trading for Castillo since the price appears to have been minimal. I do believe that the Mets should wait until the end of the season, before possibly pursuing a contract extension.

OlerudOwned Jul 31 2007 11:24 AM

Even if Castillo speed has declined, which you really can't argue against, it hasn't gotten to the point where he's ineffective. He's gotten on base at a .356 clip this season, .358 last year. You know what to expect. Gotay, for all his upside, isn't a sure a thing to keep going at the rate he is. I like Castillo's game because of how it fits in the #2 hole behind Reyes. Do I like him long term? Hell no. Any talks on an extension are going to worry me.

Farmer Ted Jul 31 2007 11:27 AM

The Mets have come up big in recent years with the no-name guy that produces down the stretch, see Timo Perez and Endy Chavez. I was hoping that Gotay would have more chances, moreso than Easley and Valentin.

OlerudOwned Jul 31 2007 11:43 AM

I like Baseball America's take on the trade. ]If nothing else, Castillo provides the Mets with a consistent offensive and defensive performer at second base, something the club has lacked all season. Jose Valentin opened the season as the Mets' regular at the position, but he hit a miserable .241/.302/.373 in 51 games before going down with injury. Ruben Gotay has hit well as Valentin's primary replacement (.350/.382/.504 in 123 at-bats), but he's a career .276/.355/.423 hitter in the minors and appears to be playing over his head. Damion Easley also has played well (.266/.339/.438 in 169 at-bats), but at age 37 he's a below-average defender and is more valuable as a reserve. In Alexi Casilla and Matt Tolbert, the Twins have two switch-hitting second basemen in Triple-A ready to step in for Castillo. Butera gives them catching depth, which they sorely lack, and Martin has the hitting instincts to develop into a reserve outfielder down the road.

metsmarathon Jul 31 2007 12:03 PM

my take on the trade is that the mets are concerned that an everyday gotay will become overexposed like we saw happen to endy chavez, and luis castillo can finally give us some consistency in the two-hole, perhaps preventing teams from simply electing not to pitch to reyes, and also gives us the opportunity to move milledge down into a more run-producing spot in the order. on the whole, i'm lukewarm over the trade. i'd like to see what gotay can really do, and whether or not he can be a 'second baseman of the future' for us. his bat so far says maybe yes, while his glove says maybe no. i guess a pennant chase is not the best time to figure these things out?

Benjamin Grimm Jul 31 2007 12:13 PM

metsmarathon wrote: i guess a pennant chase is not the best time to figure these things out? That's where I'm at. I'd like them to give Gotay a good look in March (and perhaps April and May) but I suspect that the Mets will get somebody over the winter, either Castillo or someone else, who will arrive at St. Lucie as the presumptive second baseman. I think Milledge has a better shot at being the presumptive corner outfielder, given that the Mets will probably look to replace both Alou and Green, but that's for another time and another thread.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 12:23 PM

Kind of makes one wish they gave him a stronger look this March and April and May, though, huh?

Willets Point Jul 31 2007 12:29 PM

="Edgy DC"]Kind of makes one wish they gave him a stronger look this March and April and May, though, huh? That would defy the Mets' Ol' Geezer Policy.

Edgy DC Jul 31 2007 12:34 PM

Well, they kept Easley over him, yeah, but Easley has done some performing as well. But Gotay did manage a .111 IsOBP in 23 Zephyr games.

G-Fafif Jul 31 2007 05:41 PM

Mets.com lists LC as No. 1. Screw you, Anderson Hernandez.