Laying Down the Law

By Matt Himelfarb
Posted Thursday, March 5, 2009

Talking to Mets fans today about Luis Castillo is like walking into a feminist gathering and hearing them rave about Maureen Dowd (no offense if that’s what you’re into). You know what? I hate it. I abhor it. It is the short-term-hopefulness of abominations. From Luis’s apologies to everybody’s glowing reports about how he is “in-shape” (as though a $6 million dollar contract wasn’t enough of a motivation last year),- it is like everybody’s taking a piss on me, than contending that its’ in fact rain and it’s going to produce beautiful flowers.

It is nice to see Luis lost some weight. This should help, considering he wasn’t exactly Orlando Hudson fielding balls outside of his zone or turning the double play last year. He is a sure bet to get on-base at a solid rate, he can play league average defense, he will nab a couple stolen bases because he’s a smart base-runner, but I’m sorry; I don’t like guys with his speed and 70% GB rates.

You want me to tell you something to be feeling good about two weeks from St. Patrick’s Day? Daniel Murphy. If the Mets were immune from the recession, I would have expected them to bring in some veteran- Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Jermaine Dye, take your pick- and let Murphy’s development rot away on the bench. More sensibly, Manuel would decide to play the hot-hand.

Instead, the Mets opted to name Murphy their starting left fielder before any spring training action. Now, a substance-based move like that- there’s something that resonates with me. Not only is it a shift from the stubborn, rookie-hating Willie Randolph days. It also illustrates Manuel’s understanding that having a lefty-laden lineup is not a major cause for concern.

For Murphy’s sake, learning to hit southpaws is the best thing for him development wise. Mike Francesa has pointed out often how the Mets organization is in love with their former 13th round pick, indicating they view him as a long-term option for this team no matter what position he ends up at. He might be a mostly fastball hitter for now, but he has excellent compact hitting skills and good pitch recognition period. Hence, when lefties try to throw him a tailing breaking pitch, Murphy knows how to wait on a pitch, not try and do too much with it, and hit it the opposite way. Further, because he is likely right-eye dominant, given the fact he is right handed, he will have an easier time picking up the ball on lefties.

Murphy only had 10 at-bats against lefties in 2008, although it’s worth mentioning he hit .400 with a .767 SLG%. In 123 at-bats against lefties with Binghamton last year, he had an .850 OPS. When you account for his BABIP (.320) and his low LD-rate (13%), it is not as impressive, although the difference is negligible.

As far as the lineup itself is concerned, Church posted a .725 OPS. against lefties last year, which is in right line with his career numbers. With just 315 career at-bats under his belt, he will have to make the same adjustments as Murphy. Delgado showed some pop against southpaws, but he also posted a .299 OBP. and I think we’ll see a drop in his all-around game next year. In 75 at-bats, Brain Schneider was horrible against lefties (.187/.291/.200), and has traditionally been progressively worse against them.

With no possible way of splitting up the lefties in next year’s lineup, Ramon Castro or whoever the backup catcher is should get some extra duty next year. Further, Fernando Tatis should compile at least 350 at-bats, possibly by rotating between playing for Murphy, Church, or Delgado depending on the opposing pitcher. Doing so, however, would take the Mets only proven right-handed weapon off the bench.

Valentino Pascucci anyone?