Louie's calf is barking...

I think Louis Castillo has gotten the shaft in NY, his four year contract has made him the target of many disappointed Mets fans ire. Is it a bad contract, absolutely; but is that Louie's fault, not in the least. Anybody in any profession is suppose to make as much as possible, but anger over the contract should be directed at Omar.

It didn't help that he had a bad injury plagued year in 2008 or that he's lost a step in the field, but I still say you give him 100 games with a SS who has range and a 1B who knows the position and Louie would be an after thought. I would hit him at the bottom of the order but a 2B who hits .280-.300 and can play decent defensively is the least of our problems.

For those saying wait a minute, you wanted him traded all off-season. I was very clear about that, if the organization felt that he needed to be moved that badly then they needed to do it. I didn't feel it was appropriate for them to go through two off-seasons where they tried to trade him only to keep him as the starting 2B. I don't think that sends a confident message to the team or is fair to the player.

I'm sure there are going to be many fans trumpeting the arrival of Ruben Tejada as the next starting 2B and he very well might be but for 2010 Castillo should be our 2B. After a torrid spring Tejada looks over matched and almost apprehensive at the plate, he needs seasoning. Castillo needs a day or two off due to a sore calf but if it turns into something more I'd go with Alex Cintron before turning it over to Tejada who even admits he's not that comfortable at 2B.

For today Tejada will play short, while Cora plays 2B but when Reyes returns SS wouldn't be an option...

Second baseman Luis Castillo, who stayed reasonably healthy while appearing in 142 games and batting .302 for the Mets last season, needs to sit out Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals. Castillo said he felt a “pull” in his right calf muscle while stealing second base in the third inning on Opening Day, although he remained in that game. source ESPN NY