New York Mets

In a surprise decision, the New York Mets decided to cut their six-million-dollar second baseman Luis Castillo.

This came despite a respectable spring training for the 35-year-old, where he posted a .286 batting average and .355 on-base percentage.

The explanation the Mets front office gave for the sudden dismissal of Castillo was that the team was in need of cutting down the second baseman competition.

According to Ed Coleman from WFAN, as well as ESPN's Adam Rubin, Luis Castillo has asked for and just received his release from the Mets.

Scheduled to be in today's starting lineup, Coleman reported this morning that Castillo is currently packing up his locker in Port St. Lucie.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

I live in New York City. Well, Brooklyn to be exact. I've been a Mets fan my whole life and would consider myself fairly knowledgeable. I admit, I'm one of those guys who prefers the feel of a newspaper in my hands to the cold, lifeless feel of a computer when it comes to getting my news.

I read two newspapers each day: a New York Post, and a Daily News.

With Francisco Rodriguez's talent and lack of competition on the Mets, he seems like a lock to be the NY Mets' closer this year and rack up plenty of saves. 

He certainly has a lot to prove.  Professional athletes who have run into negative press frequently, use success on the field as a way to earn their way back into the good graces of the fans and the media.

Every baseball season, there are injuries around the league.  Some are so bad that a few can never rebound and make the same impact as they did before—i.e. Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets, who has now been forced to change positions due to injury.

Depending on the situation, whether it's Tommy John surgery, a shoulder operation, elbow tendinitis or a broken foot, baseball is a very tough sport to recover in.  This can be due to the fact that "Americas pastime," puts a high demand on muscles that aren't used in everyday life. 

It's gone on for weeks now. What was a four-man competition that was supposed to be cut down by March 14 has now swelled to five men and is no closer to a conclusion.

Mets manager Terry Collins trots a different second baseman out every game, gives him two or three at-bats and then replaces him with another candidate for one or two at-bats.

On and on we go, and where it stops, nobody knows—not even Collins himself.

New York Mets manager Terry Collins has said that he would like to get each of his potential second base candidates some more at-bats over the next few days, as he starts to whittle down the playing field.

Today we learned that Daniel Murphy is likely out of the competition, and will be used more as a super-utility player. If that's the case, at least Murphy will have a spot on the team.

While many baseball experts already count the New York Mets out of playoff contention this early in the spring, the Mets have many athletes that can surpass expectations enough to make a legitimate comeback in 2011.

As the team continues to work hard in Port St. Lucie, here is a list of the seven recovering New York Mets that will have the biggest impact on the 2011 MLB season.

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I was listening to a radio interview with New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez yesterday and, if you believe his words, then there is a scenario that Mets followers have to consider.

Most of us know that Rodriguez will be owed $17.5 million for 2012 if he finishes 55 games for the Mets this season. Now, the consensus is that he will be dealt, long before that happens, courtesy of ownership.

Lately, while scouring the Internet for any new Mets talk, I have been seeing a lot of discussion about the future of Jose Reyes with the team.  A lot of people are talking about what Reyes could be traded for or possible replacements for him next season, and they seem resigned (or in some cases even receptive) to the idea that next year, a new player will man shortstop.