In a move Mets fans have been expecting for close to 2 years now, GM Sandy Alderson announced the release of 2B Luis Castillo. The Mets will be forced to eat the $6 Million Castillo had left on his contract but in the long run will be glad to be free of the 35 year-old infielder. Castillo's contract along with the $12 Million owed to former 15-game winner Oliver Perez will be the lasting legacy of former GM Omar Minaya. The Mets are expected to cut the former starter by the end of Spring Training unless he can come out of nowhere to win the lefty-specialist spot out of the bullpen.
Mets fans have pretty much despised Castillo's presence since his most famous moment in June of 2009 when "the drop" occurred (see below). Castillo actually responded as best someone can by hitting around .340 for the rest of the season after the incident to finish 2009 with a .302. However 2010 was a much different story as Castillo's knees finally failed him and he struggled to a .235 average and had opposing outfield playing at softball depth whenever he came up to bat (sidenote: despite Castillo's 8th grade level power a friend of mine still managed to hit a home run with him in MLB 2K10. Total B.S.).
Castillo is now free to sign with any team for the league veteran minimum of $414,000 which will be deducted from the amount owed by the Mets. The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as a likely suitor as 2B Chase Utley will be missing time with knee problems of his own and are said to be looking for a veteran presence. When I first heard this report I was happy because finally someone else would be forced to watch Castillo stare down every single 3-1 fastball right middle he faces. However the more I think about it the more I'm sure he will have some kind of Renaissance with a new team, especially if he indeed signs with the Phillies, it's only fitting.
P.S. No joke when I was writing "(see above)" I wrote "see f*ck" without even thinking about it. I'm now depressed after writing this post.
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