Phillies and Castro agree to deal
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Phillies and Castro agree to deal
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
He doesn't have a beard. But the Phillies apparently think Juan Castro can replace Eric Bruntlett in other regards. A source familiar with talks between the club and the veteran infielder said the two sides have agreed in principle on a one-year major league deal with a club option, pending a physical that likely will not occur until Castro returns from vacation next week.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could not immediately be reached for comment.
Castro hit .277 with a .311 on base percentage in just 112 at-bats for the Dodgers last season. The Phillies were looking for a player willing to accept minimal playing time but also capable of filling in at short stop on an extended basis. On paper, Castro fits both criteria. He started 29 games last season, hitting .266 with a .300 on base percentage in those games. He also went 6-for-18 as a sub, including 3-for-5 with one strikeout as a pinch hitter.
But Castro's ability to play short stop is his biggest attribute. For an idea of how slim the pickings are in that department, consider Omar Vizquel, another veteran short stop who was a free agent. Over his last two seasons, Vizquel's numbers aren't a whole lot different than Castro's. Castro hit .227 with a .569 OPS in 298 plate appearances for the Reds, Orioles and Dodgers. Vizquel hit .239 with a .594 OPS in 595 plate appearances for the Giants and Rangers. Vizquel recently signed a one year deal with the White Sox for a reported $1.375 million, which is nearly double the $700,000 that Castro earned with the Dodgers last season.
Last year, manager Charlie Manuel said he would love to have a bench player who might fill in for Chase Utley without presenting much of an offensive drop off. Castro would not seem to be that player, but I don't think the Phillies are looking at him as such.
Keep in mind that two candidates to replace Pedro Feliz at third base are Placido Polanco and Mark DeRosa, both of whom have played extensively at second base. And while the Phillies do not view Greg Dobbs as an everyday third baseman, they do contend - at least publicly - that they are comfortable starting him there occasionally. Last year, Dobbs hit .309 with a .829 OPS in the 28 games in which he started.
phillies80-08 ...... I think YOU are the moron ...... And I'm not even referring to your moronic suggestion that the Phillies trade Hamels (one 'M' by the way) and either Drabek, Brown or Taylor for Halladay ...... I never got the impression reading MooseBreath's remark that indicated he feels Castro was signed to replace Feliz ...... "Just another bench player" ..... What don't you understand? ...... He was simply stating the obvious, that signing Castro is seen by most as merely a lateral move to upgrade the bench ...... Castro looks like nothing more than Cairo-esque, Bruntlett-esque replacement.— PhightinPhil
With this bold and risky move, the Phillies have clinched another World Championship. Mark my words.- Sign Chicken Stanley— mick314
- Juan Castro is SAID(I did not check the records) to be a glove man. He is not a base stealing threat, he is not a good hitter, and he does not have pop in his bat. So why not keep Cairo? I wish him well. I wished we got some one better than a lifetime .230 hitter.
- Luis Aguayo would be an upgrade over Bruntlett off the bench, and Aguayo turns 51 in March.— smel4727
- If he can walk, he's better than Bruntlett.— brian2706
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- The auto Ads are terrible!!!— stevexmartin
- GeorgeDumbya, I applaud your enthusiasm but please come back to reality. Would signing Figgins, Halladay and Lee help create one of the greatest dynasties ever? Sure, but you're living in lala land. The Phils spent a ton of money this past year, which was refreshing considering their past. Halladay is going to surely want Santana/Sabathia money and Lee will command close to as much. So there's about 40+ for those 2 a year along with Figgins' 10+ a year and add in howard in a few years who is going to command Arod type money. Keep dreaming. I'm a die hard fan and have been for over 20 years, but you're dillusional. I'll go back to managing the Charlestown Chiefs, but please don't come on here and justify your front office theories just because it worked for you on your Phillies squad on MLB 2k for x-box. This organization is the only one that is heading in the right direction in this city and Rubes will continue to put the right pieces together to give us another shot in 2010.— reggiedunlop
- Castro will dazzle in the field, and I mean 'dazzle.' I have watched him in LA for years before his recent return here. And, he seems to know how to hit some. Makes even more sense to bring in Figgins. Supercharge that lineup.— Ivan Strenski
- I don't see much of a difference between Bruntlet and Castro. Bruntlet had more upside potential.— njjoe60
- Not good. Again, we have gotten back to the Wade days. Almost the same offense, a little better defensively, slower. Yikes!!!! How about a real upgrade. Or are we looking for the same result as last year.— travellin
- Belive me phillyjeff, with the amount of inane comments that are posted here daily, I don't think that many people are running away from the site..Anyways, this is a decent move. Yeah, he will have to make the team, but he can play 2nd, SS, 3rd and LF, so he is a guy that can give Chase and Jimmy the occasional day off. Probably opens the door for Polanco or DeRosa to join the team, as these two guys can also play 2nd, menaing if Dobbs is at third for a game, the toher two guys can play 2nd of you need to give Chase a day off. Just for the love of all that is holy, don't sign Figgins— ESFjellin
- calm down people this is just a utlity signing the phillies arent done and i believe amaro when he says he wants another championship— erodriguez
