It is recognized that the Luis Castillo contract is not working out. Could the Mets possibly buy out Castillo's contract, the way the Dodgers bought out Andruw Jones', and then sign Orlando Hudson to play second base. Or how about having Hudson switch positions?
-- Andrew T., North Babylon, N.Y.The Mets have considered the alternatives you cite. Buying out a player isn't easily done. Why would a player forfeit guaranteed money? And deferring payment doesn't necessarily reduce a club's obligation to a player. The club discussed signing Hudson and having him play a different position -- it would have to be left field. But it's thought he eventually would gravitate to second -- or be "gravitated" -- and that scenario, the Mets sensed, would undermine Castillo and create the circumstance where Hudson would play second, and Castillo would become an expensive wallflower.
Does anyone else not see a problem with this?
I understand that Castillo would be very expensive to have him be a reserve player or have his playing time diminished, but isn't winning the most important thing?
If Omar Minaya really wants this problem solved, he'll find out where Jeff Gillooly is and slip him a few bucks.