Last week, the Star-Tribune claimed the Mets and Phillies had expressed interest in free-agent infielder Nick Punto.
…i sense there is real interest from the Mets regarding punto, who, the more i think about it, would be a perfect addition to this team’s roster…the team has checked his medical records, and could schedule a meeting with his agent while in Vegas…
Meanwhile, the D’Backs consider Punto a potential starting second baseman, according to the Arizona Republic.
…i have been told punto is hoping to stay with the Twins…if he can’t, he’d prefer a starting job some place else…
Punto, 31, hit .284 with a .344 OBP in 99 games for the Twins last season, while playing second base, third base, shortstop and center field.
{ 18 comments }
Get rid of Castillo and Punto seems more and more appetizing.
For those who are wary of Orlando Hudson can find solace in the slick-fielding Punto!
Punto starting? If he signs with the Mets and Castillo is here I doubt he will at least at first. I think however if Castillo has the year he had last season, Punto could very well be starting over Castillo.
Personally, I’d rather see Brendan Harris at second. Great bat; coming into his own.
In 2007, Punto posted the lowest slugging percentage (.271) of any major-league player with at least 200 at-bats. This was the lowest slugging percentage by a player with over 400 at-bats since José Lind recorded a .269 slugging percentage for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992. Punto also posted a -27.1 VORP in 2007, 8.5 runs worse than the second-worst position player in baseball, White Sox infielder Andy González.
World Series here we come!
how about a shared job?
If they can somehow unload Castillo, put the $$ toward Tex, and go with Punto/murphy to handle 2B on the cheap.
If it really ends up that Murphy can’t hack it, Punto can have the job FT for 2009 if they can’t dig up another mid-season option.
Grudzy would be fine to handle the role too instead of Punto, who would be a nice utility addition for the bench most likely.
Jerry Manuel somewhere is crossing his fingers, praying that Omar Minaya comes up with something. lol I don’t think he wants to create a dirt trail from the dugout to the pitchers mound anymore.
i don’t think the mets would start punto, but he’d be good on the bench. he can giver reyes and wright a little time off here and there. the mets haven’t had a sub for them in a couple of years.
he plays defense and plays hard.
good, young bench player.
Nick Punto is a decent player but he’s not an everday player. He’d make a great utility player though.
I still think Eckstein is the way to go. He might not put up great numbers but he has 2 rings, a WS MVP and he brings the do anything to win attitude the Mets desperately need. I see Eckstein as a better version of Joe McEwing
Punto would not be a useful starter, but he could be a good bench player/sub.
punto could be a great addition, he can play 3b and ss, given wright and reyes a couple of days of rest.. not a bad signing..
Please no Eckstein, oleo. As for the Joe McEwing reference, EVERYBODY is a better version of Joe McEwing. He may have been lovable, but he was a lousy baseball player.
tidewater
yes but you have to have role players if you want to win. Thats why the Yankees don’t win even though they have great players.
Eckstein is a much better player than McEwing so he doesnt hurt you on the field but Eckstein’s intangiables alone bring more to the table than the numbers anyone else will give.
i’d rather have a guy with a lower stats but knows how to play the game the right way…
say what you want I’ll take Eckstein over Robinson Cano anyday of the week
why punto instead of Jon Malo in bihnghamton. he is utley-like and has potential…and FREE
nostradomus
i hope that was sarcasm. malo’s career average in the minors is .243
F. Lopez.. Trading Castillo won’t happen.
oleo,
malo is just a kid. what, you think punto is some kinda a beast at the plate? lol
Jerry Manuel has said he wants to have a mentality of situational hitting, which is a good idea. Punto and Eckstein fit this philosophy VERY well
nick punto is a decent utility man but putting a kid who can’t hit in the minors on the MLB squad is ridiculous.
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