Put Up or Shut Up

The Mets have had their fair share of embarrassments in 2010, and the main culprits are back at it again.

Professional-smiler-turned-benchwarmer Jeff Francoeur and the second baseman who is currently dead last among NL starters at the position in batting average, OPS, extra base hits, and total bases, Luis Castillo, are chatting it up to the New York media about how they deserve to be treated like starting players.

After his walk-off hit Tuesday night, Castillo was visibly bitter with his teammates and manager Jerry Manuel, as he refused to even crack a smile as his team mobbed him in excitement after a win against the Marlins.

"I thought I would be playing tonight but I am not making the lineup. What is going on here? I don't know what he's doing," Castillo told the Daily News prior to Wednesday's game against Florida.

The aging second baseman, a mere shell of his former self, is standing firm in his position of wanting out of New York. "I think we will talk to them about that," Castillo said. "I need to be in a different kind of situation. I don't know what they want to do. I want an opportunity to play, and if it is here, then I am happy. If it is somewhere else, then that's what it is."

It's become obvious that Castillo views himself in a much higher regard than the manager, the entire organization, and the fanbase. As he continues to handcuff the club by simply being on the roster, rookie Ruben Tejada is the one suffering.

At 20 years of age, Tejada clearly isn't ready to face major league pitching. His defense has been stellar, however, and his so called, "rookie mistakes" have been minimal. With time and development, Tejada can very well be the future at the position for the Mets (don't tell that to Reese Havens), but frankly it's too early for Tejada to be an everyday player. But don't blame him or the team, blame Castillo.

In much the same situation as Castillo, outcast rightfielder Jeff Francoeur has also asked to be a starter, or traded.

“We want to play every day,” Francoeur's agent told the Newark Star-Ledger earlier this month. She continued, “We prefer to play in New York. But if we’re not going to play every day in New York, we absolutely welcome the opportunity to play every day somewhere else.”

Francoeur, who has mesmerized fans with his million dollar smile, rifle throwing arm, and spirited grit, is currently second to last in the MLB in batting average and slugging percentage, last in on base percentage and OPS (on base % + slugging %). In addition, no right fielder in the league has played as many games and has fewer total bases or extra base hits then Frenchy.

But through all of this, Francoeur, and some blinded fans, seem convinced that he is the future of the Mets.

This offseason, however, should bring new homes to both Francoeur and Castillo, and in doing so, they'll finally let the young talent and the entire organization function as it's meant to.

Alone on an Island

The New York Jets and their fans enjoyed an improbable run through the postseason last year. Their defense is what made it possible, as they stifled some of the league's best offenses. In the process, NFL fans everywhere took notice of a certain cornerback - Darelle Revis.

Revis, the Jets first round draft choice in 2007, had a solid first few seasons. However, Revis brought it to a whole new level in 2009 under first-year head coach Rex Ryan. Week after week, Revis would frustrate opposing wideouts and shut them down. He held players such as Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Chad Ochocinco, and Steve Smith of the Panthers to performances under 35 yards during the regular season.

2009 was Darelle's coming out party, and he only continued his dominance in the postseason. He shut down Chad Ochocinco for a second consecutive week in the AFC Wild Card round in Cincinatti, and treated Vincent Jackson to the same fate in the Divisional Round in San Diego. Even in the AFC Championship Game, where the Jets failed, Revis allowed the great Peyton Manning only two completions when throwing his way. Last season prompted the new phrase, "Revis Island", where no receiver comes out alive. Darelle Revis was quickly becoming the best cornerback in the NFL, and was only getting better

Fast forward to training camp 2010. When camp opened at SUNY Cortland in late July, Rex Ryan was chomping at the bit. And why not? Offseason acquisitions such as Ladainian Tomlinson, and Antonio Cromartie were ready to go. HBO's cameras were there ready to film their hit miniseries "Hard Knocks" featuring the Jets. Only one thing was missing from Gang Green - their best player.

Darelle Revis failed to report to camp due to a contract dispute with the organization. Darelle played like the best player in the league last year, and he knew it. Now, he wants to get paid like it.

The holdout of Revis continues to be the biggest story out of Jets camp at Cortland. In the most recent public report regarding figures, the two sides (GM Mike Tannenbaum and Darelle Revis and his agent) were a whopping $40 million dollars apart. Darelle's goal is to be paid more than anyone else who plays his position, because he, along with everyone else, knows he is the best in the business.

So now, three weeks away from the start of the season, Darelle is yet to show up. The Jets and their fans are now forced to face the reality of life without Revis. While Revis certainly makes them a better team, the defense is still one of the league's best, if not the best. What is more troubling to the Jets and their fans is Darelle's attitude. Jets fans, myself included, would like to think that every player is 100% committed to making a return trip to the playoffs and take home the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in over 40 years. However, Darelle is making it apparent that the green he cares most about is what he keeps in his wallet, not what he wears on Sundays. So worry not, All-Pro receivers. It's looking more and more like Revis Island is a place nobody will have to visit in 2010.