Comments on: Luis Castillo http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669 Hoping for a Miracle since 2005 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:54:03 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Chris Wilcox http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669&cpage=1#comment-485682 Chris Wilcox Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:37:21 +0000 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669#comment-485682 The idea that the 2006 Mets succeeded with small ball is patently false. Carlos Beltran hit 41 homers, Carlos Delgado hit 38 homers, and David Wright hit 26 homers. Plus they had 19 homers out of Reyes, 18 homers out of Jose Valentin in roughly 2/3 of a season, 14 homers out of Xavier Nady in half a season...tell me, where is this small ball coming from? They had the 4th most homers, the third most doubles, and the third highest slugging percentage. Overall, they had the most extra base hits in the National League. That's not winning with small ball, that's winning with slugging. The idea that the 2006 Mets succeeded with small ball is patently false. Carlos Beltran hit 41 homers, Carlos Delgado hit 38 homers, and David Wright hit 26 homers. Plus they had 19 homers out of Reyes, 18 homers out of Jose Valentin in roughly 2/3 of a season, 14 homers out of Xavier Nady in half a season…tell me, where is this small ball coming from? They had the 4th most homers, the third most doubles, and the third highest slugging percentage. Overall, they had the most extra base hits in the National League. That’s not winning with small ball, that’s winning with slugging.

]]> By: tjv101 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669&cpage=1#comment-485671 tjv101 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:38:02 +0000 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669#comment-485671 Lets not forget the last time the Mets played "small ball" baseball in 2006, they made it to the NLCS and were the best team in baseball (without the ring). Playing small ball baseball in the 1st inning is ok. The Mets have the power and pop in the middle of their lineup to not need to do that night in and night out. That pivotal first inning is when I mean the Mets should play "small ball" or any inning where Reyes leads off. Castillo belongs batting second. Lets not forget the last time the Mets played “small ball” baseball in 2006, they made it to the NLCS and were the best team in baseball (without the ring). Playing small ball baseball in the 1st inning is ok. The Mets have the power and pop in the middle of their lineup to not need to do that night in and night out. That pivotal first inning is when I mean the Mets should play “small ball” or any inning where Reyes leads off. Castillo belongs batting second.

]]> By: Chris Wilcox http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669&cpage=1#comment-485670 Chris Wilcox Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:52:13 +0000 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669#comment-485670 Smallball baseball is not how the Mets score runs. The Mets scored runs the past three years because Wright, Beltran, and Delgado will give you 80-100 homers from the middle of the order, with good (not great) on-base and extra base hit totals out of Reyes in the leadoff spot. I hate giving away outs in the 2 hole, which too many Mets fans have seemed OK with in the past. The Mets got lucky in '06 that Lo Duca hit over .300 because otherwise that team would not have scored as many runs. My theory on Castillo batting leadoff isn't just about walks, it's about avoiding the double-play. If Reyes singles or walks, but can't get a good lead at first and can't get in position to steal second, you open yourself up for the double play far too often because of all of the ground balls Castillo hits. Castillo pretty much has two spots in this lineup; 1st or 8th. Reyes can hit out of the 2 or 3 hole because his game is suited for it; in fact, he might be even better suited to bat 2nd than leadoff. Just because you're fast doesn't mean you're a natural leadoff hitter. Smallball baseball is not how the Mets score runs. The Mets scored runs the past three years because Wright, Beltran, and Delgado will give you 80-100 homers from the middle of the order, with good (not great) on-base and extra base hit totals out of Reyes in the leadoff spot. I hate giving away outs in the 2 hole, which too many Mets fans have seemed OK with in the past. The Mets got lucky in ‘06 that Lo Duca hit over .300 because otherwise that team would not have scored as many runs.

My theory on Castillo batting leadoff isn’t just about walks, it’s about avoiding the double-play. If Reyes singles or walks, but can’t get a good lead at first and can’t get in position to steal second, you open yourself up for the double play far too often because of all of the ground balls Castillo hits. Castillo pretty much has two spots in this lineup; 1st or 8th. Reyes can hit out of the 2 or 3 hole because his game is suited for it; in fact, he might be even better suited to bat 2nd than leadoff. Just because you’re fast doesn’t mean you’re a natural leadoff hitter.

]]> By: tjv101 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669&cpage=1#comment-485669 tjv101 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:27:23 +0000 http://www.blueandorange.net/?p=669#comment-485669 Ahhhh...Luis Castillo. The most talked about second baseman in NY baseball right now maybe in baseball. Well for one thing, I am not on the Luis Castillo bandwagon. I am pleased he has lost nearly 20 lbs since last season and looks like he can run much easier than last year judging by highlights of him in Spring Training. However, I am skeptical about what to expect from him this year. I do believe that he will be much improved than from last season and if healthy should bat near .300. I also am against moving Castillo to leadoff despite your theory that he will probably be able to draw walks unlike hasty Reyes. My opinion is wy fix what's not broken? Why fix a Met lineup that has worked in the past. Reyes leading off has worked for the Mets just as Beltran batting third, Wright 4th, and Delgado 5th. Let's not forget this team scored a heck of a lot of run last season without Castillo. In theory, Reyes should leadoff the 1st with a walk or single then steal second. Castillo slaps a grounder and gets Reyes to 3rd followed by a Wright sac fly. That's small ball Met baseball and that's how you begin to win games. Oh yeah...that and not having your pen blow 27 leads throughout the course of a season. I'd be aghast on Opening Day to not see Reyes batting first and Castillo batting second no matter what the media and Manuel says. Now getting to Orlando Hudson. Yes, he signed a relatively cheap $3.4 million dollar one yr contract and deeply wanted to be a Met. I do, however, think that the Mets are paying double for enough players and managers and don't want to do it at second base also. Let's not forget that the Mets are paying for two closers right now (really 3 if you think about it) with K-Rod and Wagner. Also, they are still paying Willie. They are giving Castillo one more chance this year and if he doesn't come through, I clearly believe they will pay next season for a new second baseman and try to dump Castillo and his final 2 years whatever way they can. Ahhhh…Luis Castillo. The most talked about second baseman in NY baseball right now maybe in baseball. Well for one thing, I am not on the Luis Castillo bandwagon. I am pleased he has lost nearly 20 lbs since last season and looks like he can run much easier than last year judging by highlights of him in Spring Training. However, I am skeptical about what to expect from him this year. I do believe that he will be much improved than from last season and if healthy should bat near .300. I also am against moving Castillo to leadoff despite your theory that he will probably be able to draw walks unlike hasty Reyes. My opinion is wy fix what’s not broken? Why fix a Met lineup that has worked in the past. Reyes leading off has worked for the Mets just as Beltran batting third, Wright 4th, and Delgado 5th. Let’s not forget this team scored a heck of a lot of run last season without Castillo. In theory, Reyes should leadoff the 1st with a walk or single then steal second. Castillo slaps a grounder and gets Reyes to 3rd followed by a Wright sac fly. That’s small ball Met baseball and that’s how you begin to win games. Oh yeah…that and not having your pen blow 27 leads throughout the course of a season.

I’d be aghast on Opening Day to not see Reyes batting first and Castillo batting second no matter what the media and Manuel says. Now getting to Orlando Hudson. Yes, he signed a relatively cheap $3.4 million dollar one yr contract and deeply wanted to be a Met. I do, however, think that the Mets are paying double for enough players and managers and don’t want to do it at second base also. Let’s not forget that the Mets are paying for two closers right now (really 3 if you think about it) with K-Rod and Wagner. Also, they are still paying Willie. They are giving Castillo one more chance this year and if he doesn’t come through, I clearly believe they will pay next season for a new second baseman and try to dump Castillo and his final 2 years whatever way they can.

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