The Mets were unsuccessful in their attempts to shop Ramon Castro this offseason, but they still remain very interested in Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, according to a person familiar with the team's thinking. Rodriguez, a free agent, is a favorite of general manager Omar Minaya, and the Mets continue to view their depth behind the plate as one of the team's biggest concerns.
Not only is Castro expensive at $2.25 million, but the Mets worry about his durability at that price and believe Rodriguez would be a better complement to lefty-hitting Brian Schneider.
I'm not sure how I feel about this speculation. I've always like Castro, and believe he provides a solid bat when inserted into the lineup. Durability issues are certainly a concern, considering Castro is not the "fittest" player in the league, but how much more durable can the aging Pudge be?
Rodriguez is slated to play in the upcoming WBC and perhaps a solid showing in the tournament will change my mind. For now, I'd rather the Mets keep Castro; he lost some weight going into camp this year, homered against the Astros on Saturday, and is considered one of the most liked personalities in the clubhouse.
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