The End of an Errror?

It's been a busy couple days in Port St. Lucie. One remnant of Omar Minaya's is already gone, and the world's most unlikely $12 million-man is closer than ever to being shown the door. Maybe shown isn't the right word...

Yesterday, the Mets released the underachieving Luis Castillo, removing him from consideration in a very crowded battle for second base. My money's on Daniel Murphy for that job; remember, he was supposed to be on first base last year before the rise of Ike Davis. As for Castillo, the $6 million remaining on his contract will still be absorbed into the Amazin's payroll, meaning they will still have to pay his salary should he be picked up by another team.

Speaking of absorbing dangerous poison into the bloodstream, more news from Oliver Perez. Ollie gave up back-to-back home runs to minor league players in the seventh inning of the Mets' split-squad game against the Washington Nationals. On the plus side, New York did end up winning 7-4 on a strong performance by aspiring starter Chris Capuano.

On the minus side, there's still Ollie. "I didn't do my job, and that's why they scored four runs," Perez acknowledged. "That's a really bad job." At least he's right about something. His stats through seven Spring Training appearances: 9 2/3 innings, 13 hits, 8 walks, and an ERA of 8.38. If you keep track of WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), it's over 2. Horrendous. Numbers not even Charlie "Bi-winning" Sheen could justify.

Oliver Perez should have been gone when he refused to take reassignment last year. Oliver Perez should have been gone when Jerry Manuel had to make up an injury to free up a roster spot. He should have been gone when he came back from that injury and sat on the bench for two months. And he should have been gone after last year's nightmare of a finish in Game 162 (3 walks and a hit batsman in the 14th). Now is another chance, the best chance, for Sandy Alderson to finally, once and for all, wash the organization's hands clean of this extremely lucky and totally incompetent ballplayer. Please do not disappoint us Mr. GM.

MM