Tagged: luis castillo
Mets release Oliver Perez
The Mets released Oliver Perez today, eating the remaining $12 million dollars that he was owed this year, his last year of the contract he signed in 2009. This release comes just days after the Mets decided to release Luis Castillo and his $6 million dollars he was owed for the remainder of the year.
Thank God. I haven’t been this happy with the Mets in a while now. There was no doubt he had to go. He wasn’t producing and he would have taken away a roster spot from a deserving candidate who actually can pitch. Perez signed a $36 million dollar deal before the 2009 season. It appeared as though Omar Minaya panicked when he gave Ollie the money. The Mets failed to land Derek Lowe and he worried there would be no pitchers left. Why? Why didn’t we let him go to the Yankees?
It’s over now, and the Mets have to move on. This is what the Mets fans wanted and expected from Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins. To make important decisions for their baseball team on the field, not the money in the bank. Who knows, maybe the Mets will draw more people at Citi Field now that they have made the changes.
Also, the Phillies signed Luis Castillo today to a minor league deal and he is expected to fill in for Chase Utley while he is injured.
Jason Isringhausen is having his elbow examined as he has some discomfort. He says he does not believe it is a serious matter. Also, check out on ESPN New York to read a story about how drug testing ended up saving a Mets minor league players life.
One down, one to go
The Mets officially announced today that they have finally decided to release Louie Castillo and eat the $6 million dollars he was to be paid this season. Sandy Alderson said that he made the suggestion to the Wilpons and they agreed.
Well, thank God for that. Castillo needed to go just to give me and the rest of the fanbase something to be happy about and to be excited about. He just hasn’t been good for the team the last few years and has been a punching bag for Mets fans and media.
He just didn’t appeal to me. His not going to visit the veterans at the Walter Reed Hospital last year because he gets too upset and doesn’t want to see the suffering soldiers. Well, how does that make them feel? The purpose of the team going was to provide support and to make them feel normal, not injured or disabled.
And, must I go there? The dropped ball in Yankee Stadium. His defining moment has a New York Met. The Mets needed to get rid of himand need to get rid of players that just aren’t producing. That’s the only way the Mets are gonna dig themselves outta the whole they’re in.
Next, it needs to be Oliver Perez who is pitching today for the Mets. And, you probably already know what I think about him.
Lets Go Mets! It’s a good day in MET-ville
Opening Day roster
With the season only two weeks away, I began to think about who the Mets will cut and keep. First, lets start with Oliver Perez. No. He shouldn’t be on the team. Granted, he recently got ONE left handed batter out by making him pop up on the infield, but I don’t have confidence in him and neither should the coaches, front office, or the players. What has he done to be given a roster spot?
Secondly, Scott Hairston needs to be on this team and will. Though it is spring training, he has killed the ball. He’s hit I think five home runs now and has had two seperate games with two. He can help lead this team and provide consistency from the bench or in the lineup. It’s good to have such a versitile player on your team. The Mets have been lacking that for a few years, because he can play infield, outfield, and maybe pitch?
The large question that the Mets have to answer is who will be man-ing second base in Florida on April 1st. Daniel Murphy, I wouldn’t go with him for the fact that his bat this spring has been below what I expected and his glove, well we know about that already. I think he should be on the team as a bench player because he does have the ability to play third, second, first, and dare I say it left field. The only problem is that the team has a large number of players that could be on the team off the bench, so that someone who I think should make it will be cut. Luis Castillo, well I have more simpathy for him now that he is playing better and he hasn’t been any worse than the others trying out. He is the best defense the Mrets have avalible besides Hu, but his bat limits him in my eyes from ever being a long term starter. And Castillo’s expirence helps his cause. Justin Turner, I dont think he’s better than Murphy, Eamus, or Castillo so he is out by default. I never really thought that he would be given a real chance. I dont know a lot about Brad Eamus, but the problem with him not getting the job is he is a rule 5 player, so the team will have to offer him back to his previous team befor ethey can send him to the minors. He hasn’t hit particularly well, either. I like Luis Hernandez. He has hit well during spring and his glove is good. He is my personal favorite and I think he should get a chance, a real chance.
As for pitchers, Jason Isringhausen should make it, providing expirence in the closers role and Pedro Beato should also be there. I am also rooting for Pat Misch to make the club.
Johan’s Rehab
Johan’s Rehabilitation schedule
According to Mets GM Sandy Alderson, Johan Santana is expected to be ready to return to the big leagues toward the end of June or possibly sometime in July. He will be throwing on flat ground until about May.
Also…
According to Jon Heyman, the Mets are far more likely to cut Luis Castillo over Oliver Perez.
I can understand this, but I hate it. They both need to be gone. And, Mets 24-year old pitcher Pedro Beato has a good chance of making the club.
Ed Coleman on WFAN
Ed Coleman was on WFAN and the YES Network today with Mike Francesa talking about the Mets from Port St. Lucie.
Coleman expects Terry Collins to decide within the next two weeks who will be starting in center field for the Mets, whether it is Beltran or Pagan.
According to Coleman, Collins will give Daniel Murphy ‘every opportunity’ to win the second base job, although his fielding ability is in question.
Francisco Rodriguez needs to finish, not close, 55 games by the end of the season for his 17 million dollar vesting option to take effect, which Mike Francesa says will definitely not happen.
He expects Johan Santana to be out until at least July. But he will likely throw in front of the media and will workout with the team. The Mets are ‘not going to hide him.’
I agree that there is no way that the Mets will let K-Rod’s option vest. They cannot afford to let that happen and could look to trade him this upcoming season. Francesa seems to think the Mets should showcase Castillo, to try to get trade offers for him. That wont happen, I mean, he is washed up and cant play like he used to.
Also, according to Ed Coleman, Terry Collins would likely rather have Pagan in Center if Beltran will need frequent days off, as he would rather have a replacement in the corners.
— Put it in the Books!
Baseball is around the corner…
With baseball right around the corner, I thought that I should update my blog, as I dont post very often in the offseason. First, I will start off with the Mets signing starting pitcher Chris Young to a one year, incentive based deal worth $1.1 million. Young does have the opportunity to get up to $4.5 million if all of the incentives have been reached. Young, who only pitched in four games last season, is 48-34 with an ERA of 3.80 in 135 games started.
I think this is a low risk-high reward deal for the Mets. The Mets arent expected to go anywhere this year, so if he blows apart, it wont be a major deal. He is only making slightly over one million. But, if he is good and stays healthy, he could really help this team.
The Mets also signed Scott Hairston to a one year deal worth reportedly $2 million. This will be good for the Mets’ bench and second base. To make room for these new additions, the Mets are reportedly close to releasing Luis Castillo from the 40-man roster. Yes!!! Thats better than any acquisition.
Many sports stations have been making a large deal over the Mets naming Mike Pelfrey as their opening day starter. I mean, how much harm could it do? The Mets are giving him the cushion and confidence knowing that going into spring, he will be on the team and play an important role. And, that may be important for Big Pelf’s mind.
And, one more thing. My brother and I were debating Pujols. All I can hope is that the Mets can open roster space to pay for him. He is a future Hall of Famer all ready and would provide power, stability, professionalism to the team.
The time to act…NOW
The Mets fell to the Atlanta Braves last night in Turner Field by three runs and are now at the .500 mark for wins and losses. The Mets are now 7.5 games back of the Braves and 8 games back in the wild card. San Francisco leads that category.
Something needs to change in the team. I mean, the Mets have good players and what I feel is a good coaching staff but the team and players need to feel a sense of urgency, which last night they appeared not to have. I am a supporter of Jerry Manuel. I dont think the Mets’ struggles are his fault because it is ultimately up to the players. But when a team struggles, it falls on the manager’s shoulders.
Last night, Luis Castillo really cost the Mets a chance. He failed to turn a sure double-play. Earlier I discussed with my brother that Luis Castillo didnt really do anything to hurt the team, unlike Oliver Perez, but now I have a different feeling. He does not have the range anymore and he has not handled throws at all this year, bobbling many of them. For 6 Million a year, you have got to put on a better show than that.
The Mets are on the verge of missing the playoffs in early August, and that does not make any Mets fans happy. Something needs to change.
Roster Moves
- The Mets designated Gary Matthews Jr for assignment today
- Omir Santos was called up from Triple-A to replace GM Jr
- Luis Castillo was placed on the 15-day Disabled List today, according to SNY
- Ruben Tejada was called up from Triple-A to fill Castillo’s 25 man roster spot
- Santos was called up because, according to Jerry Manuel “Blanco is a little banged up”
I like that they called up Santos. Even though he wont be here long, he deserves to get called up whe never he can get the chance.
Im surprised Jesus Feliciano didnt get the call to the big club.
And, most of all, I LOVE the move to dump Gary Matthews Jr, who has just been wasting a precious roster spot. Now all that needs to be done is to ditch Oliver Perez. I doubt that will happen, unfortunately.
Oliver Perez for Milton Bradley?
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, Joel Sherman wonders if a deal would work by sending Perez to Chicago for Bradley. The deal could possibly include Zambrano and or Castillo. Bradley, who had a great year last year, is hitting just .257 with 40+ RBI this year. He’s do over the next two years a total of $21 Million.
Also, you do have to consider this, he has already been on 7 teams in his 9 year career. He has been suspended for the remainder of the season for his action being detromental to the club. Perez, has had a bad year too, but isnt a trouble maker. Bradley has had problems in Texas and Chicago, which means, how is he going to in the Media and Sports capital of the world, NYC.
Carlos Zambrano, would be a great number 2 starter, but like Bradley, has some issues. He is extremely combustable. So, when he’s good, hes really good. But, when he’s bad, oh boy. As you think about this deal, it would make sense to just bring in Zambrano and ship out Perez. Zambrano is like Perez, but not as erratic. So, that pretty much says that he can’t be any worse that old Ollie. They have also talked about possible sending castillo in a deal, which I split on. He’s been having such a great year, but his value is high.
Back from Texas
Im back. Its good to be back bloggging again. I had a great time in Houston, visiting one of my relatives. On Tuesday night, we ventured down to Minute Maid Park and watched a good ballgame. Minute Maid is a very good stadium to watcha ballgame in. While I was in Houston, it seemed as though, the Mets had a little of good happen and the usual loads of bad things happen. David Wright ends up on the disabled list after being hit in th head with a 94 mph fastball. Every star on the mets besides Krod and Johan have been on the DL…..jeeeeezz. Luis Castillo hits a +420 foot homer and the Mets continued to lose ballgames. I also missed Billy’s return, which was great, and Livan get released. And, oh by the way, Sheff is unhappy. Its great to be a Mets fan. Once again, just wait ’til next year.
Put it in the Books! 