Mets second baseman Luis Castillo told reporters he thinks he can be an everyday player and would like to be traded. The Mets would like to give prospect Ruben Tejada time to learn at the major league level, but he is hitting just .183 in 40 games thus far. Castillo, on the other hand, is only hitting .242 in 62 games, his lowest average since 1997.
"I can't be here anymore," the second baseman told The Post before last night's series opener against the Phillies at Citi Field. "I know I'm not going to be here next year."
Castillo still has another year on his contract worth 6 million dollars, a total most teams would not pick up under the current economic circumstances. If the Mets were willing to assume half his salary, they may be able to find a taker.
Tejada was hitting .280 with 1 home run in 65 games at Triple-A before being summoned to New York. He has showed promise in the minor leagues, but needs to show he can put consistent at-bats together if he wants to earn the full-time role.