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According to FoxSports.com, “David Eckstein is making it known that he wants to play second base next season.”
…well, well, well…look who wants to play second…
Eckstein, who is a free agent, had been 
hitting .277 with a 354 OBP in 77 games with the Blue Jays, before hitting just .219 with a .301 OBP in 18 after being traded to the D’Backs.
In my interview with Omar Minaya in early October, he said of his efforts to sign a second baseman last season, “When we looked at the market place, we liked David Eckstein a lot. We tried to do a deal with Eckstein and we couldn’t get it done.”
…from what i understand, he was their top choice…if you recall, the Mets invited eckstein to New York City, gave him the tour of Greenwich, etc., but, from what can gather, he did not want to play second…the Mets could not wait, so they locked in to Luis Castillo, who had an offer from the Astros, while eckstein ultimately took a one-year from the Blue Jays, where, oddly enough, he played six games at second…
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he’s 12 years away from AARP
which is 8 years farther away than castillo
give him 2 yrs with options
trade delgado to AL power starved team for good late inning bp arm
move murphy to 1B
trade Heilman + Castillo for Vazquez
trade anything else we got for putz
sign beimel
sign lowe
results – veteran, inning eating (non injury prone) sp; fresh live arms in the bp; younger and gritty infield
powerstarved ? seattle 94 hrs as a team.last in the majors
that’s possible?
Why would we want Eckencrappy? No need. Let Murphy try it and bring in a guy like Grudzy to back him up. At least Grudzy can hit.
yuck
I say go for it. We can’t hold his reluctance to be 2nd baseman against him. The man does have spunk and does hustle every play out. He would also be a cheaper solution and we can use our cash to focus on the pitching staff. I think Murphy could learn to play left field. Murphy is slow and I don’t like the idea of him and delgado on the right side of the field.
He hustles out every weak, pathetic groundout. H’s awful.
He sux too
I never even noticed Eckstein was traded to Arizona last year.
Lol I noticed like a week into the post season.
Neither did Arizona
get him… not too late to right the wrong of last year
Not too early to make the wrong of next year either.
Mets need to get away from the Ecksteins of the world who can’t seem to stay healthy for a full season.
I’d rather watch a young kid with a good bat be a little below average at 2nd base all year than watch another has been/ never was be hack in the lineup all year.
When I think about the way Omar handled the 2nd base situation this year, I wonder how he has ever done anything right.
wow. you want david eckstein, then have the balls to criticize the opinions of other people on baseball. wowwwww
Exactly.
Here’s what i think. I think if David Eckstein had the year that Castillo had everyone would call him brake and gutty for playing through his hurt knees and legs. Yet when Castillo does it he’s a slap happy bum. (I’m not defending Castillo, just wondering why people think Eckstein’s “spunk” is valuable.)
Because his grit would have willed the bullpen to awesomeness. He’s a winner tidewater. Didn’t you listen to Jerry? We don’t need statistical guys we need winners.
He’s a gamer! Don’t you guys know this? Also he weighs 87 pounds and sleeps in the bottom drawer of his locker. Bet your fancy “stats” didn’t tell you that.
Eckstein: 2 rings
Castillo: 2 rings
Both are “winners” and both are well past their prime. no thanks.
Yes!!!!! Blow that ridiculous ring argument out of the water!!!!!
I hate the ring argument.
Castillo isn’t gritty though. His rings are a farce. Eckstein’s willed his team to wins.
Castillo’s knees are a farce. That’s a point that most Castillo supporters seem to overlook.
I’ve never met a Castillo supporter.
There’s a few on this site.
Really? It seems everyone thinks he’s the worst person to ever roam God’s green Earth.
i guess because we are racist…isnt that the answer you are looking for?
Nope, I didn’t bring up race at all. I’m just saying that the guy we have gets on base much more than Eckstein does historically. He had a very bad year, to be sure, but I get the feeling that Eck’s reputation for “grit” would have many people complaining about Castillo giving Eck a pa-ss.
I don’t use the word racist unless I’m pretty damn sure.
Because when Eckstein was on the Cards and Angels he was a scrappy guy who would choke up on the bat and always seemed to be on base.
That’s the only reason i think everyone thinks that.
I don’t want him either. Why sign another singles hitter who’s not a great defensive guy, who’s best years are behind him.
I’m with yagottabelieve. I think murphy at 2nd would be better, and i think it’s easier to find a outfielder to play LF then it is to find a solid hitting young 2nd baseman, and if he’s willing to take a bench role I’d pick up Mark Grufzielanek as his backup.
HE WAS NEVER ON BASE!!!!!! His OBA is bad. If he was always on base it was because he grounded into a force out.
His on-base average is pretty good, actually. He just hits for absolutely no power, and he’s not a good defender, and because his OBP is all slap singles, he’s really prone to streakiness.
He gets on base enough, and yes, hustles enough to be a perfectly decent middle infield option. He was great in Anaheim as a freebie they found on the trash heap when they were desperate, and he was fantastic in St. Louis as a bargain basement free agent they gambled on when *they* were desperate. But I don’t want us to pay above average money for an below average player just because the media has a hard-on for little white guys.
if it comes down to him or castillo then get him but otherwise no
I almost think theres more upside with castillo next year…Eckstein would be switching positions while still not being able to hit….Luis, who, potentially, could b healthy, could provide the same amount hitting, def not less…and a decent glove. His range may have dropped, but he turns a good DP.
I think i would choose neither though.
I rather have no one at 2nd base next year and play with 8 guys on the feild then watch Castillo play. He bring down the whole dam team.
Then we dont have to watch him bat either.
Why? He’s not better, infact he may be worse.
Like I’ve mentioned before. I would gladly accept Eck to New York to share time with Murphy. Possible platoon and a vetern presence to help learn the middle infeild. Whether Eck would accept being a part time player and pinch hitter in games Murphy starts is another story. If its a one year deal with a possible option for a second we could always use him as deadline bait if Murphy is ready. I know its alot to think about. He’s nothing special and he’s tough. “Grit” is somewhat overrated I believe but I like him.
Why do that? Why not have Castillo back him up as you are not going to get rid of that contract for free? They are both crappy.
How would Rafael Furcal look at 2nd Base? I believe he is a free agent.
yea and also a hotshot short stop. Not every vetern shortstop converts to second. And he’s looking for 3 years around 7 mil average on the west coast. And then that leaves murphy out to dry on the bench. And please don’t mention him as a left feild bat.
I’m all for Furcal at 2B if he’d sign here and play the position.
ugh, no thanks. he’s gonna want too much money for how average he is.
Between him and Castillo, I’m not sure who is worst.
Eckstein? More like Pukestein!
APB: Murphy is not going to be at 2B…he will either be part of a LF platoon or on another team…case closed
Which doesn’t make any sense since he’d provide the most value at 2nd base.
Dude, I wouldn’t say “case closed” like that. Seriously, we have no idea what will happen between now and Opening Day.
Nothing is guaranteed with this offseason.
as i actually start to think bout it, castillo might turn out to be decent next year..i mean he was unhealthy pretty much all year, he has always been a good player…i dont kno tho
This is the thinking that got us in trouble. Take. Risks. Please.
well the risk would be to leave castillo at second next year…which i dont think is a great idea.
True — but the “bird in hand” thinking has gotten the Mets into trouble.
Generally, this off-season, the Mets need an overhaul, but they need to do it without trading younger players — it will be very tough. The “core” is young and Murphy and Pelfrey look good. No rush . . . but of course, no need to stand pat, either.
If you like out machines, Eckstein will fill in perfectly!
Maybe we can even get Juan Pierre to play a corner OF spot and really kill the offense while we’re at it.
People call him gritty and gutty because he is . . . gritty and gutty. “Gritty ” is not code for “white” or “small” or guys who run to first base on walks, etc. It refers to tough as Nails, tenacious, fundamentally solid players. He’s a positive clubhouse guy, rather than a cipher (or negative.) If he’s cheap, I have no problem with this signing. It wouldn’t single-handedly morph this team into Philliesque gamers, but it sure as heck wouldn’t hurt, and would be miles and miles better than the likes of Bob Abreu. What say we compromise and sign Dunn AND Eckstein? . . . not that that helped the D’Backs much.
Castillo WAS gritty . . . but of late, he seemed to fade when his team needed him, e.g., a guy who never strikes out was all of a sudden striking out. Sic transit grit — Grit fades.
Anyway, it’s only step one, and I’d really rather have a younger player. In addition to the elephant in this room and the next (bullpen) essentially every spot but catcher, third, short, and center is due for a change (pending Church’s recovery.) Murphy should probably start in left. I can deal with an Eckstein at second. What the team needs then is to deal the human leadership vacuum, Delgado, and find both an alternative at first and a fourth (fifth? – Tatis is coming back) outfielder with a bit more pop than Endy. Not sure Pagan fits that description. If only we could reacquire Floyd. . . . What I’d really like (and would be relatively cheap) would be Millar on the bench and Varitek behind the plate part-time, due for a bounce-back, but I doubt there’s roster room for either. I’d gladly lose Castro for Varitek, however, including Ramon in a deal for bullpen help.
Spot On in theory.
LOLOLOL
if you want an 80 win team next year, listen to this crap.
Agree.
i just looked back at hudsons stats, and i really think that we should get him for second base…he would fit perfectly…good clubhouse guy, good #2 hitter, solid defensive 2nd baseman…everyone says that hes injury prone but that chance we can take, espicially with murph who can take his place possibly..
then we prob wouldnt hav to get any other offense. maybe a leftfielder or we can just use murph/tatis/evans there which worked great last year.
If Murphy can take his place why give Hudson a bunch of money? Why not just have much younger Murphy play there?
good point.lol…i dont kno…i guess i was thinking that murphy could be a good backup in case of injury but is not good enough to be a permanant 2nd baseman..
I just read on ESPN.com that Rafael Furcal is a free-agent. If we are gonna spend some money and convert a SS to a 2B, why arent we giving this guy some kind of 3 year deal with a player/club 4th year option, with many incentives for games played, runs scored…
Could you imagine Reyes and Furcal batting 1 and 2? He’s 31 years old and only missed part of 1 season with an injury.
YESSS…….furcal would be 100% perfect for this team
Careful when you start playing guys out of position.
Say we give Furcal a 3 year deal and he can’t play 2b…what then?
sounds alot like Castillo’s description last off-season….everyone’s getting wrapped up in the lower priority needs…first and foremaost the Mets need to replace Wagner, Pedro and Perez as well as secure a solid 8th inning guy….isn’t that enough to worry about….
True about the pitching being priority #1,2,3. I honestly believe that if Wags wasnt hurt, we easily go to the WS. Anyway, its always fun to put together a fantasy Mets team!
Well, for one thing, this post was about Eckstein.
I think we have a general idea of what the Mets’ plans are re: starters, though it will be interesting to see whether Ollie ends up staying or going.
There are no guarantees in the bullpen — really and truly. It’s going to come down to scouting. The Mets aren’t going to (and shouldn’t) pay big bucks for Francisco Rodriguez.
If you could dump Castillo for almost free and Hudson ONLY signed for 3 years 24 million. LOL. Not going to happen.
Eck > castillo hands down…
Cardboard Cutout of Doug Flynn > Eck > Castillo
Provide any proof on that at all. They are both incredibly bad.
Has anyone actually seen Murphy play second? Would it be detrimental to let him test the waters on a Major League level? I’m not saying have him be the only option.
i feel like everyone thinks he has a piano on his back and cinder blocks for shoes…sure he looks like a dinosaur when he runs but Daniel “business” Murphy im sure at least hell be an average second basemen. Better than that glued together sorry excuse for a ballplayer castillo
There is no way that is Eckstein’s signature on that baseball card graphic in the post.
I actually think it’s signed by “Otto”
Dont’ you have to be tall enough to ride the Cyclone to play in New York?
yeah, Otto Eckstein, he’s my dentist..
if rafeal furcal is actually available to play 2nd then i would get him very very quickly
Expensive and Injury prone…sign him to a multi-year deal already!!
just because he was injured for some of the season last year doesnt make him injury prone and dooesnt mean we shouldnt get him. also, he is expensive but very very good…if u have ever seen him play he is defenitely worth it
Okay, maybe he’s not injury prone, but I don’t know if replacing a 2B that has been hurt for the past two seasons with a SS that has been hurt over the past two seasons and has not shown any interest in switching positions.
And I’d have to be blind not to have seen him play. He attempted to live up to his potential for 6 years in ATL.
Add “is the right idea” to the end of that fragment.
Murphy was playing 2nd all fall, and was playing 2nd part of AA last year to possibly come up and play there this year if needed, and he is playing 2nd the entire winter. So i don’t see why they would have a guy who played 1st/3rd then got converted to the OF, play at 2nd the entire offseason if they don’t intend to play him there.
As of today on the Minor league blog he returned to action last night and was 0-4 2BB and 2 runs scored. he commited his 2nd error i think it’s the 11th.
11? No worse than Dan Uggla. Give him the spot.
Just play Murphy as the starter, with a legit back up on board the bench (better than an Easley) and away we go. Not really that hard.
Utley made the same move (with roughly the same rep also). He did OK to start, worked hard at D, and became more than adequate.
If Murphy does anything decent with the bat, he will be a vast upgrade over Eckstein or Castillo.
If the D lets him down, you swap in the bench guy (say Grudz for S&Gs), and use Murh=phy in OF and 1B and PH. And groom him for 2010 1B when Delgado is gone (if he is still here in 2009!)
TIme for Omar to get agressive with some of these moves
Ecks is a horizontal move. No sense in making a move like that. No matter how bad we think Castillo is, going after Ecks is a stupid move.
Also, we have bigger priorities like the pen and SP! If you guys didn’t know, we were second in runs scored (tied with the Phils)and 4th in avg. Offense isn’t the problem. There might be problems with clutch hitting, but some of that can be taught (fundamental hitting) and hopefully Jerry will do that.
If he’s the same as Castillo, then sign him and trade away Castillo.
Here’s the problem. Then you are paying most likely at least half of Castillo’s contract and all of Eckencrappy’s to have the same player we had.
trade delgado and heilman to seattle for putz and prospects.
and sign fuentes.
trade hielman and some other prospect(s) to oakland for street…oakland has always wanted hielman
then we can sign krod or fuentes
and have
8th inning-street
9th inning-krod/fuentes
we dont even know if murphy can play everyday. he wasnt even a prospect until last year. Everyone relax and see if this guy is the mets future 1st basemen/2nd basemen/w.e.
and also ecks is garbage.We dont need him. And whats this sign trade fior street, then sign k-rod. stupid. Their are 8th inning guys we can get.
Eckstein isn’t nothing special. I think he’s help add to the teams toughness, grit and small ball, but he really isn’t worth too much of an investment. He should be the back up plan. He’s really not all that much better than Easley. Look into Hudson. See what we can do with Murphy. Square one is just moving Castillo though.
The Mets should really consider signing Brad Penny. The Dodgers have indicated they’ll likely be declining his 8.75 million option. He was nearly Cy Young two years ago. I know he’s had arm problems, but why not give him a chance to be at the back end of the rotation? Maybe a 2 year/14 million deal?
now that we have some time to look back at LAST YEAR’s Free Agency signings…what would you have done with 2B?
The only options were Castillo and Eckstein and they were both looking for 3-4 year deals ( as was Paul LoDuca lol )
Eckstein only played in 94 games…hit .265…scored 30 runs..drove in 28…had 2 SB…
Castillo played in 87 games…hit .245…scored 48 runs…drove in 28…had 17 SB…
Not to mention that we could not get Eckencrappy because he was stupid enough to hold out for a long term short stop contract.
out of topic, but I saw f-mart playing in the DWL and his swing is a little bit different from what we saw in ST. he is more straight now,like beltran. He looks taller now. did the mets change his swing?…BTW he is hitting 281 in 32 at bats.
Eckstein would be the worst move ever…hes the biggest girl in MLB
yeah and he might be another alex escobar with less power.
seattle [94 hrs last in the majors delgado and heilman for putz and prospects.].
then sign krod or fuentes and trade for catcher mike napoli.
napoli /273 with 20 hrs in 227 at bats.
laroche from the pirates would make a decent 1stbaseman if we could trade for him. and for all of you that think bj ryan sux consider this he once went 13 months without allowing a home run.
end the discussion now….baring a miracle, castillo will be ONE of our 2b this year, sharing time with murphy[& easley when we bring him back]. eckstein is the last person we need playing 2b next year. we need to add power and consistancy…obviously not eckstein. props to eckstein for having a decent career through grit…doesnt mean we have to deal with me.
in all seriousness…delgado needs to go. he is the most IRRATIC hitter in baseball, when he is hot…he is hot, and for the MONTHS when he slumps, he is USELESS…
we will not win next season relying on delgado combined with beltran, church, schneider, and probably castillo bc they are all too inconsistant[too LH too].
coming off his hot finish makes him a valuable trading piece and could net a good RP for teams on the cusp looking for power [dodgers, angels, rangers, A’s, even boston…
bring back rico brogna !!! lol\
Castillo has to be gone just for the reason of a new start and karma and all that, the same reason heilman needs to be gone, and show needs to be gone.
Yes these guys may have great years next year but not for the mets
just the years they had here, heilman’s implosion, he has to be gone to get rid of negative energy. Show, well the HR in the last game at Shea, get rid of his negative energy. And Castillo well what has he really done, Jerry never even played him toward the end. People boo him everytime he gets up and i don’t know about everybody else but when he is up to bat it doesn’t give me too much hope that something will get started. It just is bad karma for lack of a better phrase. its time to bring in some new energy. We can’t have guys go out there and get booed the first day of the new season, so they have to go.
i agree but u r forgeting this organizations unwillingness to eat big contracts ive stated b4 and ill stae again remember bobby bo? remember mo vaughn? saberhagen etc?? the mets qould rather play these guys through their contracts rather than sign a new player and pay for the other guy who’s no longer with them
Good points of course I guess i’m just hoping that the idea of shifting the team and all that will play into account and that some of the negative energy will be gone especially with heilman and show just by not having them in the bullpen should help the morale (as sad as that is for them)
I just looked it up, and Eckstein didn’t punt for the University of Nebraska. I don’t want him near this team.