A Value Bat Via Kansas City
By Mike Silva ~ December 7th, 2009. Filed under: Offseason Speculation.
As reported here at NYBD on Friday the Mets are intrigued by Kansas City’s Gil Meche for the starting rotation. Joel Sherman reiterated that interest today and added that Luis Castillo could be part of a Meche deal. Again, as mentioned numerous times, if moving Castillo opens up the offense for Orlando Hudson and a run at Matt Holliday then go for it. Acquiring Meche in of itself doesn’t excite me because of his injury history.
One name that is also available and would fit into the “value equation” the fans love is David DeJesus. He is scheduled to make five million dollars in 2010 with a 2011 club option. Earlier in the offseason you heard rumors of Kansas City having interest in Angel Pagan. Why not leverage DeJesus in a Castillo for Meche type of deal? Something like Castillo and Pagan for Meche and DeJesus. Kansas City saves money, the Mets take on some while improving at an open position (LF).
DeJesus is a left handed batter, has good splits against both sides, and has developed some nice pop. Defensively he is very good as well. He is also a local product that was born in Brooklyn and played for Rutgers University. DeJesus was actually drafted by the Mets in 1997, but did not sign.
This could be the type of move that is an acceptable downgrade from the big stars. DeJesus is far better at this point in his career than Johnny Damon, Pat Burrell, and Juan Pierre.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:54 am
question
if ur kc would u ever take castillo for dejesus/meche?
dont make the mistake in saying kc has no $.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
If they want to dump salary, and a young player they covet (Pagan) is involved maybe they would – but it won’t be easy.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
While we would love to unload Castillo, the Royals have absolutely no need for him – they have too many second basemen already and are supposedly using Callaspo for trade bait. Why would they look to add another middle infielder?