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PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets are ready to shred their final four bracket and chart a different course at second base.
Disenchanted with what he has seen from Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, Brad Emaus and Justin Turner this spring, manager Terry Collins is preparing to name Luis Hernandez the starter at second base, a source with direct knowledge of Collins’ plans told The Post yesterday. The move will be contingent upon Collins convincing the front office to find roster space for Hernandez.
The 26-year-old played 17 games for the Mets last year before breaking a toe Sept. 18. He has appeared in six games this spring and is 5-for-12 (.417). Hernandez began camp on the periphery of the second-base derby and has gained traction almost by default.
Though Castillo is having a solid spring offensively, the source said Castillo’s limited defensive range is problematic for the new regime. The Mets still do not view Murphy as an everyday second baseman, and many in the organization are not convinced Emaus and Turner are major-league players. Hernandez is considered the best athlete and defensive player among the group. As the organization’s minor-league field coordinator last season, Collins saw plenty of Hernandez.
Castillo, who is owed $6 million this season, could be dumped by the end of the week. Sunday, the 35-year-old told The Post he has already informed Collins he wants to be released if he isn’t going to be the starting second baseman.
“I know I can still play,” Castillo said.
But Collins’ plan to install Hernandez at second base could hit a snag if the front office insists on keeping Emaus, a Rule 5 selection last winter. Emaus must remain on the Mets’ 25-man roster for the entire season or be offered back to the Blue Jays, who left him unprotected. If Collins is told he must carry Emaus, the Mets would likely have to decide between Hernandez and Murphy for one roster spot.
Murphy is viewed as a solid lefty bat off the bench and utility player who could occasionally start at second or third base. Emaus also can play third base.
Collins, the source said, is confident he will have final say in the matter after hearing opinions from his coaching staff, general manager Sandy Alderson, and special adviser J.P. Ricciardi, among others. But Ricciardi was the driving force behind selecting Emaus in the Rule 5 draft and could provide a roadblock to Hernandez’s ascent.
The Mets signed Hernandez before spring training last year — he was released by the Royals in January 2010 — and summoned him to the majors in August after he had split time between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo. In 265 career at-bats with the Orioles, Royals and Mets, he is a .245 hitter with three homers and 20 RBIs.
Hernandez’s career highlight came in his final at-bat of last season. After fouling a pitch off his right foot and breaking his big toe, he homered against Atlanta’s Tim Hudson.