Mets, Castillo, Four More Years, En Espanol!

by Eric Simon on Nov 18, 2007 8:42 PM EST

According to Spanish language sports site Impacto Deportivo, the Mets and Luis Castillo have agreed on a four-year, $25 million contract.

Thanks go Google, we have the site roughly translated into Spanglish:

The intermedista Dominican Luis Castillo remain over four seasons with the Meters in New York.
According learned impactodeportivo.com.do, Castillo and the Meters reached an agreement four years by 25 million.

The news has thus far been unconfirmed by any English-speaking news outlets, so we'll just consider this one unofficial until further notice. (Hat tip: Rotoworld)

UPDATE [9:17pm]: Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports confirms it, though he only indicates that they are close to a deal, not that one has actually been completed. Extending a four-year offer to a player with questionable health is definitely a risky move. When Castillo is healthy the Mets can count on solid defense and good on-base skills but zero in the power department. If a four-year deal with Castillo was the only thing standing in the way of a four-year, $36 million pact with David Eckstein then I guess this is good news.

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blah

I hope this came from the same place as the Eckstein rumor. The Meters are shelling out an awful lot of years there, for a guy with a bum knee who's nothing really special when he is healthy.

by anonymous on Nov 18, 2007 9:06 PM EST reply actions

I like Castillo

And I think that this can be a good deal. It gives someone for Gotay to study under, especially defensively (Unless he gets traded). Then in 2 or so years he can play a bat off the bench and pinch runner, no? I like this deal!

"As for 1966--oy. Chilcott was a catcher who never reached the majors. The number two pick was held by the Kansas City A's. They picked Reggie Jackson"

by NewMet5 on Nov 18, 2007 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Wait. What?

Castillo as a $6 million a year pinch hitter/runner for the last two years of the deal? Did I misread that?

by Eric Simon on Nov 18, 2007 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

Nope... you read it right

There have been worse signings, no? Hey Hey! Per Roto world Tommy G will announce monday the contract! Hello 2 first rounders and a supplemental!

"As for 1966--oy. Chilcott was a catcher who never reached the majors. The number two pick was held by the Kansas City A's. They picked Reggie Jackson"

by NewMet5 on Nov 19, 2007 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

Is that the standard now?

Really? 4/26 for a 32 year old slap hitter who's already breaking down looks good because other teams have been even stupider (see, e.g., NY Yankees re: Carl Pavano or Kevin Brown)? And I fail to see how Castillo will be an effective pinch runner in the future when his knees are as brittle as those skinny little breadsticks you get in certain Italian restaurants and his "speed" can be calculated with a sundial.

by madisonmetsfan on Nov 19, 2007 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

The Meters of New York!

With A-Rod all but signed with the Yankees, the above is going into my new signature.

Eh, ambivalent about this deal. It's sure better than anything they could've given to Eckstein, at least.

Keep A-Rod in New York! Bring him to Queens!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Nov 18, 2007 10:16 PM EST reply actions

yeah

I'll be looking for a place to use "intermedista."

I assume it means "infielder", but does it mean middle infielder as well?

by citimetro on Nov 19, 2007 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

I guess

with the inflation in the market and the lack of great options this isn't so bad. I hope Willie works Gotay 2X a week though.

Keep Lastings Milledge Free

by DoctorK16 on Nov 18, 2007 11:52 PM EST reply actions

I second this...

I guess now that the Mets are a contender they think they need to fill every hole with the Proven Veteran rather than go with a kid.

Because, you know, no World Series champions of recent memory have used a rookie starting second baseman...

by SQUAD on Nov 19, 2007 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

the sox

could've used anybody at 2nd base and still won. they won because of this thing called "pitching," which everyone seems to forget about.

by gogomets on Nov 19, 2007 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

That's kind of my point

There was no need to sign Castillo. Go with Gotay and focus on pitching.

by SQUAD on Nov 19, 2007 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Pitching will come (I hope)

That's exactly the point. Minaya wants pitching, but the free agents are useless. He wants to swing a trade, and will need his young talent to do so. Signing Castillo means we didn't have to trade for a 2B. As a second basement, Gotay is a fine batter and lousy fielder. I realize he's not quite 25, but his fielding is unlikely to improve dramatically. I like the Castillo move.

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Nov 19, 2007 4:51 PM EST up reply actions