34-year old switch-hitting Luis Castillo will be back as the starting 2B for the Mets in 2010 despite Omar Minaya’s attempts to trade him over the winter. He played in 142 games for the Mets last season and he was 147 for 486 (.302 avg, .733 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 1 homer, 40 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The Mets hope that Castillo hits like he did last season as his numbers would have been better production wise if they hadn’t suffered so many injuries. Castillo made 11 errors in 137 games at 2B for the Mets last season while showing average range.

27-year old switch-hitting Anderson Hernandez will probably be the Mets’ top backup at 2B in 2010. He played in 123 games for the Mets and Nationals last season in which he was 92 for 366 (.251 avg, .651 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 3 homers, 37 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Hernandez played in 74 games at 2B and he made 6 errors while showing off good range. The Mets hope that Hernandez doesn’t have to play near as much as he did last season.

34-year old switch-hitting Alex Cora will be the top backup at SS but he will also likely get some P.T. at 2B in 2010. He played in 19 games at 2B for the Mets last season and he made 2 errors while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: B-

The Mets have signed 25-year old switch-hitting shortstop Luis Hernandez to a minor league deal. Hernandez played in 37 games for the Royals last season and he was 15 for 73 (.205 avg, .476 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 103 games in his major league career and he is 54 for 221 (.244 avg, .560 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 1 homer, 14 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Hernandez will likely start the season in AAA and get a call to the Mets if the need arises.

The Mets have signed 27-year old lefty starter/reliever Travis Blackley to a minor league deal. He pitched in 38 games (12 starts) in AAA-ball last season and he was 4-7 with 3 saves, a 4.85 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Blackley last pitched in the majors 2007 with the Giants. He has pitched in 8 games (all starts) in his major league career and he is 1-3 with a 9.35 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP. Blackley has allowed 45 hits in 34 2/3 innings in the majors and he has walked 27 batters which helps explain his problems. Don’t expect much out of him.

The Mets have signed 32-year old righty swinging 1B Val Pascucci to a minor league deal. He played in 126 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 108 for 436 (.248 avg, .793 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 19 homers and 77 RBIs. Pascucci now has 193 homers in his 9 years in the minors. Pascucci also had a cup of coffee with the Expos in 2004. He played in 32 games for the Expos that season and he was 11 for 62 (.177 avg, .588 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. The Mets will stash him in AAA and give him a call if the need arises.

The Mets have signed 35-year old lefty swinging Frank Catalanotto to a minor league deal. He played in 77 games for the Brewers last season and he was 40 for 144 (.278 avg, .728 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Catalanotto has now played in 1,240 games in his major league career and he is 1,109 for 3,799 (.292 avg, .804 OPS) with 560 runs scored, 84 homers, 456 RBIs and 45 stolen bases. I love this signing for the Mets’ bench which looks like it will be improved for 2010.