ESPN is reporting that the Red Sox are interested in a Mike Lowell-Luis Castillo trade.
It’s hard to understand why that would be a good trade for either organization as the Sox already have a really good second baseman in Justin Pedroia and Lowell is fading with age and injury. He’s coming off thumb surgery last week and had hip surgery in 2008.
Where this trade might make sense is if the Mets do not re-sign Carlos Delgado. However, Newsday is reporting the Mets front office is still high on Delgado, who went 1-for-4 in his latest Winter League game, and are “very interested” in him still.
Then Lowell could be a starting first baseman with Daniel Murphy as a backup, giving Lowell a day or two off each week. The same case could be made for Delgado.
If you had to choose between the two, which one would you take?
1 Comment
Neither. Daniel Murphy is 24 years of age and can rope. He also has far more range than either Lowell or Delgado. Murphy should also prove to far more durable and a heck of a lot less expensive. The Mets also need a pure left-handed hitter in the lineup. That being said, Delgado should not replace Murphy. If Murphy has a good season, he can be moved over to 2B in 2011 to make room for Ike Davis at 1B or he can be moved to another organization in a trade that can deliver a much needed piece. Stifling Murphy’s ABs is ridiculous. A better case can be made for Lowell as a strict platoon partner for Murphy and the occasional day off for David Wright, but shelling out over $12 million for such a role player is a bit steep, especially when the Mets will have to spend at least $5 million for Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez (the best choice). Keeping Castillo and paying Garciaparra or even Tatis considerably less may be a better play.