I’m very tired. Here’s something:
Good question. You mean where is it right now, or where is it available from? I’ve been in the mood for a good grilled cheese since Ted Burke sent me that text from Bradenton. But to me the best grilled cheeses come from my kitchen, and I like ’em old-school, the way my dad used to make them when I’d come home for lunch in elementary school: American cheese on white bread, grilled golden brown on a ton of butter. If you want to throw bacon on there, I mean, obviously that’s cool, but it’s not even necessary.
I’m open to eateries with good grilled cheeses, though. Anyone know of any?
My take: He’s still Luis Castillo. I don’t want to sound mean to be fatalistic about this, but it’s the same dude who has been downright brutal for three years. I get that he’s in good shape and he lost weight and maybe that’s worth something, but how much? Is he suddenly going to be a rangy fielder for the first time since 2007? Is he, at 35, likely to do anything more than tread water?
I’m guessing no. And even if he is a better fielder than Daniel Murphy, Brad Emaus and Justin Turner, I find it hard to believe he’s so much better that it will mitigate the difference in offense. I mean, hell — even if Murphy’s downright terrible there and you take him out of the competition, Emaus and Turner have both played full seasons at second in the Minors. Turner has played shortstop! You’re telling me neither of these guys can provide the Mets more than Castillo can at this point? I’m sorry, I find that hard to believe. And no three Grapefruit League games are going to change my mind.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I wonder what it is I’m missing about Turner. Look at his stats: He has been good in every Minor League stop. Old for most levels, yes, but always solid on-base percentages with some pop. In fact, using the Minor League Equivalency calculator, Turner’s 2010 comes out much better than Emaus’, since Emaus’ numbers were inflated by the Pacific Coast League. Turner’s line in Buffalo translates to .280/.329/.420, while Emaus’ Las Vegas rates equate to .229/.311/.369.
So much. I know it’s bad form to complain about work stuff in these trying economic times, and really, I’m in no position to whine about any aspect of a job that occasionally pays me to watch baseball games. But pants are total b.s.
Seriously, I have to wear pants to edit a website? Really? And no jeans; that’s the rule. Every so often we’re allowed to wear jeans because it’s snowing or it’s Christmas Eve or a swarm of locusts has descended upon Manhattan, and even though that day should be massively inconvenient, it’s not so bad because I’m so much more comfortable. Confident too. I look better in jeans.
It was the Media Noche. A couple people asked me about my Spring Training sandwich picks so let Nate’s Tweet stand in for all of them. The Port St. Lucie sandwich scene is bleak. It is almost entirely fast food and chain restaurants. I tried the Angus Three Cheese and Bacon sandwich at Arby’s. It’s gross, I’m sorry to say. I ate a surprisingly decent buffalo chicken sandwich at Ruby Tuesday.
I did have a pretty delicious Jamaican beef patty at a place called Jerk City out on U.S. 1. I would consider a beef patty a sandwich, because I use a very liberal definition of the term “sandwich.” I understand that others would not call this a sandwich.
I’m going back to Florida for the last couple of Spring Training games and then the opening series in Miami. I understand I will have way more exciting culinary options in Miami than I did in Port St. Lucie. I look forward to it.


