With the news that the Mets are pushing for Pinerio, I've seen/heard from numorous fans/SNY Mets Apologist comment on Castillo's defense/the Mets IF defense in general.

Now, obviously it makes sense that a GB pitcher would benefit from a good IF defense, but the Cardinal's defense wasn't exactly steller last year.

Cardinal's defense by UZR
1st : Pujols .8 UZR/150
2nd : Skip -8.5
3rd : DeRosa/Thurston -5.3/-1.9
SS : Ryan 13.8!
(While Ryan's defense was supurb, keep in mind that SS as a whole only make 6% more plays than 2nd Basemen.)

Put Pineiro in front of the Mets defense last year and he'd underperform just like Pelfrey:
1st : Murphy 7.6 UZR/150
2nd : Castillo -12
3rd : Wright -13.2
SS : Cora -7.8

But put Pineiro on the Mets 2010 squad based on btbs UZR projections and things don't look as bad.
1st : Murphy 2 UZR/150
2nd : Castillo -6
3rd : Wright -3
SS : Reyes 1

So, while I'm all for improving the D, I don't think upgrading Castillo is a must if Pineiro signs, (esp. if that upgrade means eating his salary and signing Hudson who has a -3 UZR/150 projection.) Although, I'm still onboard the Kennedy Kaboose.

But I feel like I'm missing something, so any comments or suggestions would be much apperciated.

Note: Sorry for the format, best I can do in chat. Also, I don't really think Berg is an apologist.