Castillo Batting Leadoff for the Mets? No Way, Jose

If the Mets can lay claim to one thing over the past few years, aside from being masters of the late season choke, it is that they have had probably the most electric leadoff hitter in baseball.

When Reyes comes to bat you're never quite sure what you'll get; a base hit that is almost an automatic double after you consider that he'll most likely steal second; a sharp hit ball down the line into the corner that has Reyes sliding into third with an easy triple; or a sizzling line drive that makes it over the wall for a home run. Regardless of what Reyes does, it has been proven that when Reyes performs the Mets win. Period. He ignites the entire lineup from the leadoff spot, and the leadoff spot is one place where the Mets are not broken.

So if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Luis Castillo was a great leadoff hitter for the Florida Marlins and his career totals of .292, .367 OBP and 342 SB are impressive, but Castillo last year was obviously a player in decline. He hasn't stolen over 40 bases since 2002 and his achy knees will prevent him from stealing one third the bases that Reyes would from the leadoff spot.

One of the arguments that Jerry Manuel made in favor of Castillo at leadoff was Luis' high career OBP. During the last three seasons, here is how Castillo's and Jose's OBP compare:

YEAR CASTILLO REYES
2008 .355 .358
2007 .362 .354
2006 .358 .354

While the OBP arguement may have been valid earlier in Jose's career, it holds no weight now because Reyes has grown into a solid on-base guy during the past three years.

Combine the high OBP with Reyes' other stats (16 HR, 19 3B, 113 R) and in addition to his flair, it is obvious that he is not the guy whose game you would want to disrupt.

Luis Castillo may very well rebound this year and have a fine season, but he'd better suit the second spot in the order because he will not be the leadoff hitter that Jose Reyes is. Ever.

Leave the best leadoff hitter in baseball where he belongs- the leadoff spot.