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.
Didn't this happen last year when we signed Ibanez?...Everyone relax.— wlightning02- Scroo Figgins and any other position players we're looking at. If it means bringing Bruntlett back and starting him at first, I'm happy to save the money to go after Halladay. Doc H every 5 days is worth more wins than a #7 or 8 hitter with the rest of our lineup as solid as it is.— The K Man
- I would rather bring back Steve Jeltz than see that no-talent, money-stealing single A bench jockey Bruntlett again.— Bob1
- He's a career .230 hitter and did not play for LA in the playoffs this year. Not much to get excited about.— P Even
- brutal move, seriously...Juan Castro? just brutal— meaned
- He's at least 3 steps better than Bruntlett. Good move.— Grazman
- Great pickup Rube!!!! He batted .193, with a .246 OBP in 2008. Don't you think there was a reason the Dodgers had Mark Loretta, Orlando Hudson, and Ronnie Belliard in the second half? He doesn't even steal bases.— scars73
- hopefully this signing means they plan on moving rollins so they can afford to offer a long-term deal to victorino. rollins should be able to bring us one or two decent prospects in a trade.— zwarte piet
- PLEASE - Kill the sound ads!!!!— M60tanker
- Trade Rollins? Seriously? Does anyone on these boards actually watch the Phillies?— Mike P
- Now can we pick up Yogi Berra as our backup catcher?— GeorgeDumbyaBush
- This is obviously not America any more as the KGB is filtering every non offensive comment I make.What happened to freedom of speech and the press.— GeorgeDumbyaBush
- I'm guessing since you guys basically went bankrupt last year you're all job scared,since you were probably bought up at firesale prices by a conservative news corp.— GeorgeDumbyaBush
- I think Castro is Spanish for Brunlett!— shady24
- Please try to get Halladay with either Hamels and Brown or Happ and Brown.Derosa would be OK at third,but Polanco hits more line drives and is healthy,neither can improve on Feliz' D.Drabek will surely in the future make us forget either 1.Figgens would be the sure upgrade at 3rd,but I think our ownership is still scared of the number of Moths that will attack them when they open those wallets wide.— GeorgeDumbyaBush
