Athletes in general do not like being quotes. They would prefer that the press simply leave them alone. If I were an athlete, I would tire quickly of having the press corps. keep asking the same stupid questions.

What I would say is: “Look, we’re all here trying our best. Any day, we could get hot and win 10 in a row or lose it and lose 4 of 5. All we can do is play smart, hard, and find ways to win. All of the questions you ask are totally irrelevant.”

But Wright does not say that. He uses the cliches. So does Jeter. So do most athletes. It’s just a way of saying something to get the press out of there so you can get on with your life.

The Phils bat Chase Utley 2nd. The Yanks often bat Jeter 2nd. Most teams are wise to the myth that it’s important that the #2 hitter be terrible at everything except making contact and bunting runners over. This is Castillo to a tee, except that he increasingly stinks at even doing those things.

Danny, when someone says “Reyes has the ability to drive the ball more”, it implies a better slugging percentage. It doesn’t mean he “drives the ball better to spot 25 feet in front of the LFer.” Whether or not Castillo is a one-dimensional slap hitter, the fact remains he gets to second and beyond more often than Reyes. I don’t care how he gets there, just that he does. Better defense is clear, so use him to pinch run and as a late defensive replacement.

Since returning from the DL, Castillo has been terrible but if you aren’t taking sample size into account you aren’t paying attention.

therealsince86 (aka the almighty god of baseball knowledge), even though I agree with you about starting Castillo, Danny is right that he should be at the bottom. If nothing else, his propensity to get on base will clear the pitchers spot and give the pitchers the opportunity so sac bunt him over for Jose to drive in.

What Omar could have done is:

1.) As a temporary stopgap, platoon Gotay and Easley.

2.) Very quickly start looking for a way to bring to the organization a AAAA 2nd baseman who will not cost too much. Sort of like an Emilio Bonifacio lite. There are tons of those guys floating around the major leagues. At the beginning of the year, Omar could have easily traded Heilman for a 2nd base prospect superior to Bonifacio.

As soon as you acquire this player, trade Gotay for beans or release him, and platoon Easley and your AAAA 2nd baseman.

These steps would have yielded superior production at 2nd base than we got for 24M less money.

Reyes has the ability to drive the ball, meaning he is not a one-dimensional slap hitter like Castillo. I can care less about Castillo’s stats (the lifeblood to your facts), b/c I’m sure they don’t take only into account his performance since coming off the DL. That sample size is a better indication of what he is capable of doing these next 12 games than whatever sample size you are using.

Take that into account, compare it to Reyes, and the difference is so moot it is laughable. Not even worth arguing. But Reyes plays better defense, so I take Reyes. Either way, what little production we get from either of these guys justifies that they should bat in the bottom of the order.

A reyes is like a grandson to Delgado