The Future Job Hunting of a Second Base Millionaire

 Luis Castillo missing a popup for the New York Mets against the New York Yankees in 2009.

Courtesy of New York Daily News 

Earlier this week, the New York Mets released veteran infielder Luis Castillo, despite having to pay him the remaining $6 million on his four year, $25 million deal.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110318&content_id=17005364&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym

The aging all-star had dealt with constant injuries since signing with the Mets in 2007 after they acquired him from the Minnesota Twins. This spring, he was batting a respectable .286, but with no stolen bases and various gaffes in the field.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castilu01.shtml

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=nym&baseballScope=NYN&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&statType=Overview&timeSubFrame=23&sitSplit=&venueID=&Submit=Submit&timeFrame=1

Despite having a relatively successful season for the Mets in 2009 with a .302 average and 20 stolen bases in 142 games, the fan base never seemed to forgive him for misjudging an infield popup in a game against the New York Yankees that season. His miscue in the field cost the Mets the game, and Castillo the respect of Mets fans.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-06-13/sports/17926229_1_luis-castillo-joba-chamberlain-drifting

Castillo said he hopes to catch on with another team before the season begins. Amongst his possible replacements as starting second baseman for the Mets are Brad Emaus, Daniel Murphy, Luis Hernandez and Justin Turner.

Emaus has no major league experience. However, he has found relative success in the minor leagues, hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI’s between AA and AAA in 2010. He has primarily been a third baseman throughout his career. 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=emaus-001bra

Murphy played regularly for the Mets in 2009, hitting .266 with 12 homers in 155 games. He primarily played first base for the National League New York team, but also played a few games in the outfield. Constant injuries prevented Murphy from playing in the Majors in 2010.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda08.shtml

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29200

Dan Murphy could be playing up the middle for the Mets in 2011.

Courtesy of NJ.com

Hernandez has some major league experience, playing in 120 games over four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, and Mets. He had relative success in the Mets’ minor league system last season, hitting .290 while playing a respectable Shortstop.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernalu01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hernan003lui

Justin Turner has had a relatively successful minor league career with a .309 average over five seasons. In addition to playing almost 400 games at second base, he has also played the three other infield positions along with some outfield.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=turner001jus

It seems as though any of these four players have a good shot at claiming the job as starting second baseman of the New York Mets. Regardless, it is sad to see a once great all-star in Castillo to fall to the depths of being released by a team that once desired him.