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Luis Castillo to hit leadoff?


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http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/mets/archives/2008/12/castillo_to_hit.html#more

Reeling in Francisco Rodriguez wasn't the only bombshell by the Mets New York Mets t.gif today.

Jerry Manuel revealed to reporters at the Winter Meetings that he might move embattled second baseman Luis Castillo t.gif into the leadoff spot next season -- assuming Castillo is still a Met.

Manuel, who is no fan of Castillo's, appeared to hold out hope during his interview session that the Mets could somehow rid themselves of the gimpy, 33-year-old veteran by way of a trade this winter. Manuel did so by repeatedly describing Castillo as the Mets' second baseman "as we speak."

But moving him appears highly doubtful, considering Castillo still has three years and $18 million left on his contract, so Manuel is now mentioning for the first time the audacious idea of moving Jose Reyes t.gif -- widely considered one of the best leadoff hitters in the game -- behind Castillo.

"As a staff, we've got to do everything we can to help him get off to a good start," Manuel said. "[As of] Dec. 9, there's a possibility that we could experience with him in the lead-off spot, drop Jose down, do some different things, to help put [Castillo] in the best possible situation to get off to a good start."

Plagued by injuries and booed relentlessly at home, Castillo hit just .245 with a .355 on-base percentage in 87 games last season - his first full season as a Met.

Manuel said it is critical for Castillo to get off to a fast start in 2009.

"He'd have to get off to playing well and doing a lot of things well, somewhat regardless of the outcome of what the entire team is going through," Manuel said. "It would be critical for him to play very well individually. I think that's going to be big for him. That has to be big for him."

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