As spring training fast approaches I want to go around-the-horn on the projected Mets opening day lineup position by position.  I will talk about my thoughts on how that position matches up and how it should be handled.  Hope you enjoy.

As I work my way around the field taking a look at this years most likely New York Mets squad, I can’t help but feel like there is a some unfinished business at second base.  I just can’t understand how I am here as spring training starts and I am about to write about Luis Castillo again, as the starting second baseman for the New York Mets.  It’s nothing personal against Luis, I actually like the guy, I think he works hard.  And he easily had his best year for us last year.  The lone “up year” in a avalanche of under performing seasons.  I just can’t wrap my head around why the hell Orlando Hudson is not wearing orange and blue.

It’s baffling really.  Here is a guy that has wanted to play in Queens for two years now.  He was an All-Star last year with the Dodgers and won the gold glove, two things which Castillo didn’t even sniff.  You could have had O-Dog for about half of what your paying Castillo.  Even regardless of if you weren’t able to get rid of Castillo, sign Hudson on top of him anyways, he’s that much better.  Do they really expect Castillo to play similar to last year?  I don’t.  I feel if he even plays more then half the season that’s a victory.  This is probably the biggest albatross of a signing by Omar Minaya, truly embarrassing.

Enough focusing on what should be here in camp, and lets take a look at what is in camp.  We come into camp basically with Castillo and that’s it.  We are putting all of our faith in a 35 year old second baseman whos knees are about as lithe as my grandmothers.  Backing him up are either, you take your pick, Anderson Hernandez or Alex Cora.  Hernandez is all but worthless and I am suprised to see he’s even still on the Mets 40 man roster, and while I love Cora’s smarts and grit, is he really a viable backup?

An argument can be made that Luis Castillo is one of the most important players for the Mets this year.  If he goes down for any length of time we are in deep trouble.  This is another area that either Minaya’s ineptitude or the tightwad Wilpon’s (Coup-ons) have left us paper-thin.  Rolling the dice on the season with a 35 year old starter backed up by another 35 year old, brilliant.

The production from second base will go a long way towards determining Omar Minaya’s job, as it’s really a mess he created all by himself.