Amaro, Schneider: Castillo a low-risk proposition for Phillies
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Amaro, Schneider: Castillo a low-risk proposition for Phillies
David Murphy
Let's clear up a few misconceptions about this Luis Castillo deal:
1) The Phillies owe Castillo nothing unless he makes the major league roster. This is a minor league deal. They have 10 days to look at him, explore other moves, and ponder how he fits into the Opening Day roster, which does not need to be set until March 31. Depending on how the contract is structured, Castillo could also start the season in extended spring training (he could have an out clause that allows him to become a free agent if he isn't on the active roster by a certain date).
Amaro did say Castillo will not be in the Phillies minor league system -- "He's not going to the minors," were the GM's exact words -- so this is essentially a brief try-out.
"It's kind of a low-risk situation for us," Amaro said. "We'll see if he's somebody who can contribute to our club."
So, to repeat: nothing is guaranteed right now. The Phillies are essentially getting a free look at Castillo. I don't think they would have brought him in if they did not think he was a serious candidate to make the 25-man roster. And if they decide he can help the club, they will owe him only the veteran minimum of $414,000. Remember, Castillo is getting $6 million this year regardless of how much the Phillies guarantee him.
Worst case scenario, the Phillies never end up purchasing Castillo's contract and adding him to the roster, and he becomes a free agent, and the Phillies are out no dollars.
So what can the Phillies see in 10 days that their scouts haven't seen over the last couple years and through this spring training?
"I think it's best to get him into camp and get familiar with him and get to know him as a person," Amaro said.
2) Brian Schneider spoke in glowing terms about Castillo today. There's no doubt the second baseman suffered from an image problem during his time with the Mets. But Schneider said there was no image problem inside the clubhouse.
"I just think it's New York," Schneider said of the issues fans had with Castillo. "He never disrespected anyone in the clubhouse. To me, he was a great teammate."
Schneider labelled Castillo as "quiet," but "a great guy."
Asked if he approved of the move, he responded, "Obviously, it can't hurt. It's kind of a risk/reward thing. He has a chance of being a real good pick-up."
Castillo posted great contact and on base numbers in 142 games in 2009, but was hampered by foot injuries last season. Scouts who have watched him this spring have said he has lost a step both offensively and defensively. That said, those scouts weren't necessarily comparing him to the other infielders they have in camp.
"I think the change will be good for him," Schneider said. "I respect him as a player, but I respect him more as a person. I think he'll fit in great in this clubhouse."
Said Amaro: "He's a veteran guy who's had some success in the past. He takes pitches, can do some things on the bases, extend an inning offensively."
Amaro acknowledged the conventional wisdom that Castillo's defense is not what it once was. But the Phillies aren't asking the guy to be better than Chase Utley. They are, at minimum, asking him to be better than the fifth guy on their bench, which right now could be a 28-year-old Rule 5 pick who has never played in the majors, or a guy like Josh Barfield.
Another former Castillo teammate, pitcher Brad Penny, took to Twitter to defend him after the Mets released him. Penny said the Mets made a bad move in releasing Castillo.
Amaro said all the reports from his people have been positive.
"All of our indications from people we talked to were very positive about the guy," Amaro said.
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Poll: Is signing Castillo a good move?
Thanks Phils for signing this loser! He will just help the Mets every time they play you! Just wait and see! You fans will be throwing beer and and screaming at him like sore losers You are when you get beat by the Mets!— MRD- You've got to be kidding me. Mickey Morandini would be a better option, and what's he, 50 years old??? Castillo was washed up 3 years ago. I don't know what Amaro is thinking. He's smarter than this. I know there isn't any risk in this move, but this team hasn't made these kind of moves recently. Just don't since an ounce of good coming out of it. They need to be paying more attention to the folks currently battling to make the roster. Some of these guys don't look half bad -- at least until Utley gets back.— MB2009
- Deport gluteman !!— NewMick314
- Gluteman.....Accusing Valdez of a punchless bat? Have you checked Castillo's power numbers (or lack of them) in his career? Castillo won't hit into as many double plays as Valdez. I'll give you that. Won't strike out as much either. Will probably hit for a better average. Fielding..hard to say. I thought Valdez did a pretty good job in the field last year. The truth of the matter is that no matter who the Phillies put at 2nd base, they're going to lose production from what they would have when Utley is healthy.— SteveS11
- Nothing wrong with trying to get something for nothing, instead of having to trade something of value for it. It isn't aiming very high, though. David Eckstein would greatly improve this infield in every way, but he wouldn't come for free like Castillo. Oh well, we will probably muddle through with what we already have, and try to catch the Braves in September again.— filzfan
- I'd rather see Barfield or Young get a shot to play second on opening day, and keep Valdez as backup insurance. Stick a fork in Castillo, he's done.— PortCity
- Here comes the pennant!!!— Big_Show
- Try as I may, I can't wrap my head around the consternation expressed over this move. He's not costing the Phillies any money, he plays 2b, and the team has a glaring hole there until Utley returns to the lineup. Why is this a problem? I don't get it.— sfactor
- "Worst case scenario, the Phillies never end up purchasing Castillo's contract and adding him to the roster, and he becomes a free agent, and the Phillies are out no dollars."...NO, I would call this the 'BEST CASE scenario'.
-not bob levy
— remyy - Let's hope he doesn't have to catch any game ending infield pop ups...the pitcher should be able to call this guy off....Junk, no this guy isn't junk, he's radioactive waste. Makes me sick.
-not bob levy— remyy - Brian Schneider wants him on the team to deflect the criticism he would normally get as the lousy ex-met with no game left!— younged
- A no brainer!— pedge
- I was against this at first but I've come around. There's zero risk. The season is long and there will be other moves. You have to put some trust in RAJ in my opinion. The reason he signs these guys is that you can't have a start at every roster spot. He's doing the right thing here.— s
- How much can he help if the Mets didn't even want to keep him as a bench player?— farley
- I could never understand the argument that a certain pickup was "low risk," in terms of the justification for the move. The goal is to add the best players for a particular team, nothing more, nothing less. Oliver Perez will also be a low risk move. Is it the right move? Of course not.— Steve Jeltz
- It's going to be difficult for him to get rid of that Mets stench. Still, best of luck to him.— Domi-Nation
- The Mets ate that 6 mil when they waived him - no matter what he does.— robinlupe
- Wow. Of all the things for people to have strong opinions about. It's a tryout. The only way this becomes a story is if Castillo can actually still play. If he can't, no one will even remember this happened. Find something more important to gripe about will you?— Hemingway
- All Amaro is doing here is seeing first-hand if Castillo is better than D. Young, Barfield, Orr and Martinez. Valdez is going to make the club. Amaro wants to see if Castillo has enough left in the tank to beat out the others. Maybe Castillo beats out Valdez at some point to start at 2B until (if) Utley returns. But for now, the Phillies are just seeing first-hand if Castillo is good enough for one of the few roster spots still in play.— eman
- @philsphan - no - the Phils only have to pay him $414k since he cleared waivers.
I'd prefer Eckstein to Castillo, only because I wonder how happy Luis will be if he is sitting on the bench should Utley return— dankil13 
Comment removed.- Only ignorant homers can't see that Castillo is a much, much better player than Wilson Valdez. Valdez is an emergency player. That's it. Do you all forget how many double plays he hit into or his punchless bat? Castillo will be highly, highly motivated and he is the type of hitter we need in the lineup to counteract all the guys swinging for the fences. He's obviously not Utley, but it helps.— gluteman
- He was a crucial part of the Marlins' world series win.
Quality guy, great teammate.
I was sorry to see him go.— johnnymon - "And if they decide he can help the club, they will owe him only the veteran minimum of $414,000 if he does not spend the entire year with the big league club."
If he ends up being good enough to spend the whole year with them, do they owe him the full 6 mil?— philsphan10 - My only problem with the signing is that it bumps back Delwyn Young's and Josh Barfield's chances to reprove themselves as everyday players. Both of these guys have nice potential and could do well outside of where they started their carerrs (PIT & SD). Castillo's only plus is his speed and that's why the Mets let him go; because his wheels are shot.— crjunkin
- If the scouts say he's done, he can always play corner for the Eagles.— hititwheretheyaint
- If Castillo can still field cleanly what he can get to then he is better than everyone except Valdez. I would like to keep the rule 5 pick though.— Joe at the shore
- Is it really a good thing when one castoff NY Met is endorsing another to become a member of the juggernaut Phillies? I remember early last year the Phils record when Brian Schneider started was like 3-13, when Ruiz started the Phils were 24-10. Why the hell is Rube adding pieces from a horrible franchise to this team? Why?— argonne
- Sign Rickey— NewMick314
- How can this hurt if its basically costing nothing? And beating 2 N.L. teams to the punch anyway. I still have loads of faith in Rube, we're gonna get a right handed bat at the break if problems persist (which I think they will). Gillick (Rube's advisor) did the same thing trading for Rickey Henderson back in 1993.— gilligan
I love it. The Phillies get a shot at a decent second baseman (admittedly a long shot), and the Mets pick up the tab.- Thanks Murph. The idiots are out in droves over this. It's worth a look.— Grazman
- That was the formula for the Giants last year - pitching and retreads. Maybe it will work for us.— Joe Lis lives
- The Schnied was off for a few days. He obviously bumped his head and is suffering from post concussion dilusional fantasy syndrome.— NewMick314
- Awesome now i'm really worried about Utley.— lacboi
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