Mets Don't Want Castillo

Though he and others have suggested a good fit, today Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Mets are not interested in Pirate utility man Jose Castillo.  Castillo recently requested a trade.

When you think about it, why would they be interested? Castillo hasn't done anything in the Majors outside of May 2006, and he may have a bit of an attitude problem.  Damion Easley, on the other hand, has five homers in 56 ABs.  True, he won't slug .571 all year, but he's every bit as good as Castillo and he's already on the team.  The Mets don't need a second baseman.  They have the best offense in the National League.  I'm not sure the Mets need much of anything.

Comments

[dan1to]

last I looked, the Mets still needed pitching, but with that offense, maybe nobody cares. They can get even 5 ERA pitchers wins.

[JerseyMetFan]

Well our bullpen is hands down one of the top in the majors, but I agree that our rotation isn't the most sturdy. Glavine, Maine, and Ollie will be fine. Basically it comes down to how fast El Duque will be back, and how effective he'll be upon his return, and also how long Jorge Sosa can keep up this performance... I'm guessing not long.

Basically, I wouldn't make a move for a pitcher that would cost anything major.

Oh, and BTW, the only Mets with 5+ ERAs are Pelfrey (6.53, 0-5), Urdaneta (9.00, 0-0), and Park (15.75, 0-1). Best team ERA in the majors at 3.15. (Tied with Oakland for best)

[coolpapabell]

No, we don't want him. Thanks but no thanks, we already have a 2nd baseman in the Big Easy already. Spot blog entry.

[RotoAuthority]

The Mets lead the NL in starter ERA and are second in bullpen ERA. Even with a Maine regression they have a strong staff as Minaya built in some depth.

And I'm not even a Mets fan, saying all this.

[moebarguy]

I still think the Mets should trade for Odalis Perez. He's still just 30 years old, and his two years removed from being a good starting pitcher. Oliver Perez was also two years removed from being a good starting pitcher. Let Peterson work his magic with another starter.

[bravesbeast]

Knowing the braves luck the past few seasons, jorge sosa will have another 13-0 2.63 era season as the mets fifth starter, and heck oliver perez seems to be figuring things out. But here is hoping age causes durability problems and youth causes control problems.

[coolpapabell]

Off topic, but my thoughts wandered on this possibility when I read a rummor about the Bedard for Lastings and Pelfrey.

I was wondering if Kazmir could be had for three mets pitching prospects, and if he is worth it. Pelfrey, Humber and (Guerra, Mulvey or John Niese).

[bobo]

I think guys that are closer to free agency are more likely. Pelfrey's stock has fallen a bit, and Humber isn't exactly blowing away AAA.

The Rays have no reason at all to trade Kazmir - their excess lies in position players, mostly OF.

If the Mets and Marlins didn't play in the same division I could see a 3-way with the Rays, something like Pelfrey and a B prospect to TB, Baldelli and Humber to FLA, Willis to the Mets. Thoughts?

[nrmax88]

I wouldnt go after Kazmir for those 3 guys, especially not guerra. No way. Right now, Oliver Perez is pitching great and he is very similar to Kazmir. The only pitcher I would go hard after would be Danny Haren, he will eat innings and win a lot of games, Kazmir tends to banged up a lot. I think Guerra is going to be sick, but its wayyyyy to early to tell. He doesnt belong in a list with Mulvey and Jon Niese though. He is only 17 and supposedly has great stuff, although I have never seen him pitch live.

[RotoAuthority]

Oddly I was just writing about this...I think Humber has been a lot better than his Triple A ERA would make you think. Trading him would be a huge mistake in my opinion.

http://www.rotoauthority.com/2007/05/philip_humber_l.html

[nrmax88]

Guerra has actually just turned 18 years old about a month ago, he is 6'6 at a little over 200 pounds, throws his fastball sitting around 91, touching 92-93, again, at age 18. Baseball America rated his changeup the best in the Mets system, and have him ranked number 5 in their system behind Mike Pelfrey, Fernando Martinez, Carlos Gomez, and Phillip Humber. Niese and Mulvey follow right behind, but they project Guerra as a possible future ace. Wouldnt wana give up on him yet, especially as the third part of a trade, where he isnt even the main piece.

[nrmax88]

"If the Mets and Marlins didn't play in the same division I could see a 3-way with the Rays, something like Pelfrey and a B prospect to TB, Baldelli and Humber to FLA, Willis to the Mets. Thoughts?"

I could see it, I would rather have that package of players net me Willis then Kazmir, again, while Kazmir has the better stuff Ill take Willis in a big ballpark where I know he is going to give me 200 innings basically every year.

[TNS]

"Baseball America rated his changeup the best in the Mets system, and have him ranked number 5 in their system behind Mike Pelfrey, Fernando Martinez, Carlos Gomez, and Phillip Humber. Niese and Mulvey follow right behind, but they project Guerra as a possible future ace." -nrmax88

It's not so much that Guerra projects as an ace but that his ceiling hasn't been set since his stuff/velocity is unclear at this moment (mostly because of age & physical development/growth). In 2 or 3 years, it'll be much easier to figure out his future role than now. It's too soon to bank on him for anything.

[coolpapabell]

Papelbon and Humber mentioned in the same breath....you don't run into to that everyday unless you run into drunk Mets fans, but I like it. Dan Haren really intrigues me, but I feel like he is teh only good picther they have right now, and in order to get him, he is going to cost the Mets Pelfrey, Humber and (Guerra, Mulvey or John Niese) + either Gomez or Milledge. I think Beane said as much this winter past.That is a move that would help them in the next two- three years but in the longer term it will be to the A's advantage. This is a move that Steve Philips would have made but I think the Mets are skiddish about trading away their young talent.