Expectations for Eleven: Luis Castillo

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy DC wrote: The real mystery to me is how he got so deep in Manuel's doghouse midseason last year that he could scarcely unhook himself from the bench, even as less productive players were trotted out every day and the season hadn't completely gone cold yet.

Yeah, they looked like they might have one last shot at relevancy in early August when Castillo was suddenly yanked from the everyday rotation, never to return, and things went steadily downhill from there. Not that it would have made a big difference in the end, it was just a curious time to be waving the white flag, and without also exploring trades of Feliciano, Rodriguez, etc. Poorly run team last year in so many respects.

[batmagadanleadoff]

That bothered me too. Castillo should've gotten more playing time last season. Whatever Castillo's flaws were, the Mets didn't have anyone better.

[Edgy MD]

Jerry's doghouse was a curious thing. I can't recall a manager who was so firm and complete in marginalizing a player once he decided he didn't have the goods.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy DC wrote: Jerry's doghouse was a curious thing. I can't recall a manager who was so firm and complete in marginalizing a player once he decided he didn't have the goods.

Jerry's doghouse was indeed odd. But Jerry had nothing on Dallas Green*. Nothing. Dallas was running a god damn kennel.

*Yeah. I know. Bad timing on this one.

[Edgy MD]

Dallas was certainly the comparable I was thinking of, but I coudln't come up with instances, and I wonder if we did, would we find the cases as strong as Jerry's.

I mean, a guy going from the starting lineup to spending the last two months of the season healthy but only playing in extra innings, second games of doubleheaders or occasional pinch-bunt appearances...

Or Castro getting lifted with two out in the ninth in the middle of a furious rally for a career minor leaguer who is wearing shinguards and warming somebody up in the pen. That's some severe doghousing.

[ashie62]

Well, Jerry's doghouse has been removed. Luis Castillo has as good a shot as anyone at starting at 2B for the Mets next season.

A healthy Castillo might be very movable in the spring if thats the preference of mgmt.

If he just didn't drop the damn ball...

[batmagadanleadoff]

But it was fireballing Matt Lindstrom and, you know, Omir Santos' bat was so much quicker. (Castro had two hits in that game, too).

Don't forget Ryan Church. He was in Jerry's doghouse too, for I don't remember what anymore.

[Benjamin Grimm]

We can check the beads...



At a glance, it looks like Luis Rivera saw little action, but I'm not sure how much he might have expected to see.

Dallas Green managed the Mets for four years, but never had a full 162-game season.

[Edgy MD]

Why no, I can't tell you a single fact about Jim Lindeman.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

While talking to Rubin, Alderson kindasorta confirms that it's starting second base or bust:

Adam Rubin, writing down what Sandy Alderson said wrote: "Well, that�s certainly his best role on the team. If he�s going to be on the club, it probably will have to be as the regular second baseman, or somebody who plays quite a bit of the time at second base. He just doesn�t give us enough coverage other places to play a utility role. So I would say he needs to have a role on the team. And I think that�s probably his best and maybe only role -- regular duty at second base."

[Gwreck]

Edgy DC wrote: Why no, I can't tell you a single fact about Jim Lindeman.

Played college ball with Kirby Puckett.

(Had Lindeman in the song parody contest a few years back)

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Gwreck wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Why no, I can't tell you a single fact about Jim Lindeman. Played college ball with Kirby Puckett. (Had Lindeman in the song parody contest a few years back)

I have one of his game-used bats! Actually it was from his Tigers or Mud Hen days, so it has actual use.