PORT ST. LUCIE — Gentlemen, start your bats.
As manager Terry Collins evaluates the Mets’ options at second base, maybe the only thing abundantly clear is a good glove alone won’t cut it.
Just ask Robinson Cano, Dan Uggla, Chase Utley and Dustin Pedroia, to name a few.
“Second base has become, to me, an enormous offensive position,” Collins said yesterday. “Some of the guys that have been playing there have been putting up huge numbers at second. It’s become an offensive position, so to me that’s a big piece of the puzzle.”
On the surface, that would appear as a strong endorsement for Daniel Murphy, the most established hitter among the four main contestants. But Murphy also is the least experienced among Mets second basemen, a group that includes Luis Castillo, Brad Emaus and Justin Turner. As Collins acknowledged, the team needs someone who can turn a double play.
The competition is wide open as the Mets prepare for their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Braves. Castillo will start in that game, and the ensuing three starts will belong to Murphy, Emaus and Turner in succession.
The underachieving Castillo, who figures to be released if he doesn’t show the Mets anything this spring, said he truly believes he’s got a shot at winning the job.
“It will be good, because we have a new manager and he says he’s going to get me at-bats, and I believe him,” Castillo said. “If I have a good spring training, I think I have a chance. I’ve been in the league a long time, and I know what I have to do and I know I can help the team win some games.”
Murphy, trying to learn a third different position in as many years, has worked closely with infield instructors Wally Backman, Tim Teufel, Rafael Landestoy, Chip Hale, Dickie Scott and Bobby Floyd this spring.
“All of them have said I have a ways to go, but that I’ve also come a long way in a short period of time,” Murphy said. “You take that with a grain of salt. The work is getting done and I’m getting better, but I’m still not where I need to be.
“Not many guys have had the opportunity to win a job in three consecutive spring trainings. I’ve been very fortunate this organization has given me a chance each of the last three years. Hopefully I can come through and be able to play every day and help us keep winning.”
The Mets selected Emaus in the Rule 5 draft, meaning he can’t be sent to the minor leagues — he either will be added to the roster or released. J.P. Ricciardi, the Mets’ special adviser, drafted Emaus with the Blue Jays in 2007.
“This guy can hit,” Ricciardi said.
Turner, whom the Mets acquired last year from the Orioles, said the fact he is a natural second baseman should help his chances.
“I’ve played there my whole life and I feel comfortable over there,” Turner said. “I’m strong turning the double play and completing the double play. It should be interesting over there. Ultimately it’s going to come down to who wins the job. That’s the neatest part — it’s a true competition to win the job. It’s not like you come in and the job is already handed to somebody.”
mpuma@nypost.com