Juan Castro ,a career .230 hitter, batted .277 in 2009.
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Agent: Phils to sign utilityman Juan Castro
The Phillies and veteran utilityman Juan Castro have agreed in principle on a deal, which they will likely finalize with a physical next week, Castro's agent told The Inquirer yesterday. Additionally, there were other strong indications that a one-year contract could be announced next week.
According to agent Oscar Suarez, Castro is out of the country, which is why he will not immediately take the physical.
"We have been in discussions with his agent," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "That's all I can tell you right now."
Castro, 37, is a .230 hitter, with a .270 on-base percentage, in 15 major-league seasons. In 57 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, he batted .277 while playing shortstop, second base, third base, and left field.
He fits the profile of what the Phils are seeking at the utility position: a versatile defender who can provide a modest offensive upgrade over Eric Bruntlett, and can fill in for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Manager Charlie Manuel is notoriously reluctant to use his bench players extensively, but has said that he wants a utility player capable of starting in place of Rollins and Chase Utley. Bruntlett, who batted .171 in 72 games last season, clearly never gained Manuel's trust; it remains to be seen if Castro will.
Rollins and Utley will both be 31 next season, and would benefit from regular time off. Rollins played in 155 games last season; Utley, 156. The second baseman, in particular, endured a rough September, batting just .204. He admitted to suffering from mental and physical fatigue late in the season.
Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.
