Castillo arrives, talks of opportunity
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Castillo arrives, talks of opportunity
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Luis Castillo arrived at Bright House Field around 1 p.m., several hours later than the Phillies initially expected him, but intent on keeping his focus on the opportunity at hand.
The second baseman, signed to a minor league deal on Sunday night, will compete with former Mets teammate Wilson Valdez to fill the void left by Chase Utley's balky knee, and with players like Josh Barfield, John Mayberry Jr., Michael Martinez, Pete Orr and Delwyn Young for a spot on the bench.
Castillo blamed his late arrival on a "mis-communication between me and my agents," which is the same thing Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters. The Phillies expected the second baseman to arrive in time to play against Toronto today, one of nine games the team has left before it opens the regular season on April 1.
"More importantly, I'm here, and I'm excited to be here," Castillo said. "I'm healthy. I feel good. I'm ready. I'm here to play baseball and help this team win some games."
Asked what the Phillies told him about the opportunity he will get here, Castillo responded, "Right now, I know Valdez is doing a good job and Utley is hurt right now. I'm trying to find a job here. I want to compete and I want to win the job. I want to play. I have 10 days to prove and try to get ready."
Castillo hasn't seen live pitching in a week, but said he has been staying sharp by taking batting practice.
On his image problem with the fans in New York, Castillo said, "It's hard. It's New York. You know how it is in New York. . .I want to be focused and play baseball. I don't want to focus on the fans and the media. I want to focus on baseball and show people I can still play."
Is he bothered by the fact that a lot of scouts who have watched him play say he has lost a lot of foot speed and defensive range?
"It bothers me a little bit, but that's a chance I have here," he said. "I have an opportunity to show I can still play. That's why I'm here, and that's what I want to do."
How much did a foot injury affect him last year?
"A lot," he said. "I lost almost two months. When you get hurt, it's hard to play baseball. But I want to forget about everything that happened in the last year in New York and focus on this year.
"I feel like I'm starting to play baseball again, like I'm a rookie. I know a lot of stuff is coming out. All of this is in the past. I want an opportunity to play and I want an opportunity here."
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Phils can't lose here. If Castillo is done, we cut him at the end of next week and plug Valdez into the spot that already is his. If Castillo shows some signs of life and can start 4 days a week, the team gets a decent stopgap until Utley recovers and Valdez retains his super-sub role and makes the bench stronger.— jpk- Phillies= made off with Cliff Lee
Mets= Madoff with the Moh-nee— dasher - MRD...Phillies are losers...WS win 2008...WS appearance in 09...NLCS 2010...Mess....one of biggest chokes in history in 2007, and choked again 08...sucked since. Thanks for the newsflash....have fun watching those bozos up there this year.— Big D phillies fan
- how is it that I knew yesterday that he only had 9 games to prove himself, starting today, but he and his agents didnt? 2003 was a long time ago, Luis.— TooManyAdsOnThisSite
- @TooManyAdsOnThisSite.....You do realize that you are reading this for FREE! Why? Because the advertisers are paying for this. Same with the loud audio that you guys can't seem to turn down ahead of time. Actually, if you had to pay for a subscription, maybe some of you idiots would go away.......Go Phils!— Tozmanian
- Castillo = NY loser— shawnmac
- all you people are funny! I am just laughing! So are all of the Rest of us New Yorkers! You people are a bunch of fools. Come to NY........We can't wait to see you! Won't get out with out beer on your head!— MRD
- Hey Katinsky....I think u belong in a hole! playing with your toy figures!— MRD
- In New York........We read about how Philly is one of the worst cities with fans! Geeze...You got the right! New York is a whole lot better and thats why our fans are 100 times better than you losers! You dirt bags from Philly can stay in your dump! Enjoy Your Dog Killer and baseball team that can't get to a World Series. We will enjoy out Stadium in New Jersey/NY having a Super Bowl and a NY yankess and Mets team growing that could beat you in fans anyday of the month! Enjoy Losers!— MRD
- You People are F*&^ing idiots with no brains! Just a brain on your losers! Grow the F#$k Up!— MRD
- MRD- not only were the Mutts mathematically eliminated the day Cliff Lee signed with the Phils, as centard so brilliantly put it; they were financially eliminated the day someone MADOFF with their payroll for the next 6 seasons. It will be a long, long time before the Mutts field a legitimate contender again. Not only will they be paying Castillo with borrowed money, he is yet another good ballplayer who is excited to be a Phillie. You don't see that happening in the swamp.— JosephL
- MRD..I understand dude, it's tough being a Mets fan. Your team blows in epic fashion, really, it's ok. Need a hug?— TexasYankee
- @MRD Please, if you're going to refer to anybody as a "F*&^ing idiot," practice proper spelling and grammar.— Mike P
- Castillo happened to be a damn good player for the Marlins and the Mets. Two things doomed him in NY.. Injuries and the dropped pop up against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium that cost them a game. That drop will never be forgotten by Mets fans and they soured on him after that. The man is a 290 lifetime hitter who has good bat control and has played on winning teams. As insurance, he's certainly a good pick up for costing the minimum.— bradco
