Mets banish Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez next?

Well Mets fans, Merry Christmas.

I know, I know, Christmas was three months ago, but, this St. Patrick's Day weekend felt more like X-Mas for Met fans, as news came late Friday that second baseman Luis Castillo would be released from his contract.

The Mets, who are pretty strapped for cash, with a $1 billion lawsuit coming their way in the Bernie Madoff fiasco, will have to eat the $6 million left on Castillo's contract.

Castillo has had a rocky stay with the Mets. The second baseman who was one a leadoff star for the Florida Marlins was ridiculed by Met fans for his lack of hustle on ground balls, and his poor hitting behind short stop Jose Reyes.

Even though Castillo was a good defensive second baseman, his dropped pop up against the New York Yankees, two years ago, costing the Mets a baseball game became the symbol for Castillo's career in New York.

This spring Castillo has been outplayed by Daniel Murphy and Luis Hernandez. The Mets front office still has high hopes that Brad Emaus, who has not impressed this spring could make the team and become the Mets future starting second baseman.

Meanwhile, Oliver Perez may not be far behind Castillo.

Perez served up two solo home runs to career minor leaguers in the Mets 7-4 victory over the Washington Nationals. The Mets gave Perez every opportunity to make this team. They gave him two starts, where he underwhelmed, and then tried to see if he could be the answer as a long reliever, and he bombed there too.

Perez's preseason numbers read as this 2-1 with a 8.38 ERA in seven games. He pitched 9.2 innings giving up 13 hits and nine runs, nine earned runs, two homers, eight walks and six strikeouts.

Terry Collins was cheered by Mets fans as he came out to get Perez, yesterday. As the struggling lefty walked off the field, he was booed vehemently. It was like the entire borrow of Queens swarmed down to Florida just to wish Perez well.

The Mets rotation is set, with Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey, Chris Young, Jon Niese, and Chris Capuano all set to go for opening day. So any chance of Perez making this team had to be as a reliever. He blew that and now it's time to bid him adieu.

Perez is owed $12 million, so cutting him might be hard to accept because of the steep price tag. The Mets could option him to Triple-A and leave him there all season, hope he pitches well down there, and try to trade him. Either way, Oliver Perez will not be coming up north on April 1.