Phillies bring in Castillo on minor league deal
In the end, it was pretty much a no-brainer.
Phillies bring in Castillo on minor league deal
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Luis Castillo could soon be joining the Phillies after being released earlier this week. (David Goldman/AP)
In the end, it was pretty much a no-brainer.
According to league sources, Phillies have agreed to a contract with Luis Castillo, the three-time Gold Glove and three-time All-Star second baseman who was released by the Mets on Saturday.
CSNPhilly.com reported the contract is a minor league deal, which will give the Phillies the ability to evaluate Castillo in person without guaranteeing him significant money for the entire season.
ESPN.com's New York web site first reported the deal last night. Castillo, who spent the first month of spring training in Mets camp in Port St. Lucie, is expected to report to Clearwater within the next day or two.
If Castillo makes the major league roster, the Phillies will owe him $414,000, with the rest of the $6 million he is due this season paid by his former club.
The move gives the Phillies another option to replace injured second baseman Chase Utley, without a significant financial risk.
Exact terms of the minor league contract are unknown at this point in time.
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Comments (97)
Living in NY, all I can say is STAY AWAY from him. He will not help and will only hurt.— momzer- Ugh!— krammar
- Ugh!— krammar
- Why do this? I don't want a head case, oft injured, aging, lack of range, weak hitting player... no matter how little he costs. Barfield, Valdez and Young will be much more productive.
Why no efforts for Kelly Johnson? There's a guy who can hit, who wouldn't cost a fortune.— madecaro - This is awful.— Nicknm
- NO, NO, NO and NO!!!— innc
- Hopefully another ESPN News falsehood (to be kind). Please, RAJ say it's not going to happen (again)...— M60tanker
Insurance never hurt anyone. I can't stand any MUTT player but insurance really never hurt anyone.- hopefully he is rejuvenated by joining a first-place, WS favorite. that and he gets to stick it to the Mets for 18 games a year. If not, seems like a low-risk type deal...— ESFjellin
Comment removed.- chase is done for this year. punk.— wolf 4
Great. JUST SHOOT ME NOW! Money move. Pay for Young!!!- yikes! utley must be really hurt!— wobblie
- I hate this. HATE it. Let's just get Kenny Lofton back while we're at it. And maybe Albert Belle is available so we can put together the All-No-Hustle Team?— SupportTheArtsInPhilly
hate this— bill19666- How far has he fallen if the Mets don't want him, even as a backup?— farley
- Not buying into your hysteria guys. How many times need it be said: in RAJ we must trust. He and Gillick KNOW what they are doing.— evolutionary
- According to Yahoo sports: "Castillo, 35, spent three-plus seasons with the Mets, and most of the time seemed to be unhappy ones. They were marked by extensive injuries and below-average performances offensively and defensively. Performances that also were well-below standards Castillo, a three-time Gold Glove winner, had set." It seems like nobody has anything nice to say about this guy. I know we have 2nd base problems but this guy is not the answer.
— TexColorado - Wow. Guys, this is a perfect situation for Castillo to walk into. Play against the Mets and rejuvenate his career with a winning ball-club. He is just one player, he isn't going to destroy the team. He will work hard to fit in and be productive. It's Manuel's team, everyone knows that. Great signing and NEEDED.— corporatehuman
- Not a fan. The price is right but that's about it. He's welcome to prove me wrong. Maybe leaving the Mets will turn him around.— s
- People freakin' out in the comments is hysterical.
Here ya get a 3-time gold glover, 2 years removed from .300 season for $400k and y'all are freakin out.
At the very minimum, he gives you another piece to play @ 2nd base.
What is the harm?
Geez ...— makrom 
NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— jp8899- now we know chase is done for a probably the season. or at least the front office is really scared he will be, and they aren't seeing enough from the bench guys— mph161
- Much ado about nothing. If he stinks than they get rid of him if he plays inspired and plays like he is capable of, which is great defense and annoying the hell out of pitchers, (he used to drive me crazy never swinging at balls)then we get him for cheap. Good insurance for who we have at second, as it looks like they aren't to confidant Chase will be back soon— southernmostfan
whats the big deal? bringing a guy in on a minor league contract to kick the tires? and @madecaro. i think your description of castillo sounded like one that could be used for utley too; in the oft injured and aging part whats he 2 years older than chase? i also disagree with you considering a career 290 hitter "weak"...look i am not saying he can make up for chase and he definitely can't, but he's also not getting close to chase utley money either. low risk serviceable ball pla— MPatt24- Castillo hit over .300 in 2009. If he is washed up, he can be dumped with no problem. If last year was just a bad year, he's a steal— JSaq
- As I advised on Sat: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !
RAJ, you blew it— NewMick314 - I hate this move. The Phillies should have just spent the money and use some of Chase Utley's and Cliff Lee's DNA to make a cyborg 2nd baseman who can also throw a few bullpen innings. Cheapness like this is what will cost them from winning the World Series in 3 games this year on June 25th. They will never learn. They either should have created the Chase Lee Cyborg or signed one of the many All Star/MVP second base men who are currently available. Signing an insurance policy for $400,000 is bound to blow up in their face.— AreaMan
- I'm not so sure this signals anything about Chase being out long term. I'm warming up to the idea. For 400K there's not much downside.— s
- just very low cost insurance, not a "major move." lighten' up you all!— wordsword
- Low risk, high reward. If he has nothing left, he'll spend a summer in Lehigh Valley.— riles1875
- Wow, people act as though the Phillies just gave this guy fifty million dollars for the next five years. The guy was a good player once. If he can't play, they cut him and lose nothing. People are really reaching by griping about this one.— Hemingway
- This is unreal. I just relocated to NY. When the new Mets GM took over, his first priority wsa to get rid of Castillo and Perez. The Mets fans and media will be laughing and screaming "payback" to the Phillies on this one, after the Phillies seemed invincible with sigining Cliff Lee. Castillo is done physically. You have Valdez and a host of contenders. This is a black eye on Amaro's resume.— zaituna
- It would be nice for Castillo to become his old self for a while just so we can stick it to the Mets to pick up his 6 million dollar salary.— s
- 414,000 reasons to sign him as insurance. Would I sign him for 6 million a year? No. But stick him in the minors a bit, see how Valdez does and if Valdez struggles, bring up Castillo late May or early June for a shot.— Nova
- WHY...other than a past history that looked good before last year...maybe insurance, but the bench we have this spring looks more than enough to cover the absence of Utley. give the younger guys a chance. don't appreciate this move much.— righty
- Yeah, I'm on board for a 400K minor league deal. Nothing to lose and it keeps the young guys on their toes. He was pretty damn good with the Marlins. Maybe a change of scenery will give him some new life. We lose no one in the deal -- only add low cost insurance.— s
- Go watch March Madness people. This hardly warrants news, let alone 3 pages of comments. We're talking about a guy on a non-guaranteed contract to compete with 3 other guys for the 25th spot on the roster. If it was anyone but the Mets, people would be applauding this move. This is no different than the Matt Anderson and Jason Grilli signings. It's a no brainer for Amaro. More depth that costs literally nothing with potential.
- Utley must be worse off than they're saying.— Kanayd
- He's hispanic and we know if there is an hispanic free agent, RAJ will bring him in.— scootch
- Let you losers have him! He was a nobody for New York! He will be dumped the first month of the season!— MRD
- What about the guys that have looked so good this spring--Barfield, Martinez, Young and Orr? I just do not understand this signing???— PortCity
- Its low risk, medium reward. how could you not like this? If he doesnt play well or is a cancer you cut him. its a minor league deal and depth move. Some of you guys are absolutely clueless!— djmar
- Hope you losers enjoy your AWFul second baseman from the Mets! The reason the Mets cut him was he was no good for baseball. Enjoy him and Have a wonderful losing season with all your injuries.— MRD
- If he can't play second, how about defensive coordinator?— dasher
- This was a good signing. He'll do OK.— bossrjc
- MRD - I think you're confused. It's the Mets that are no good for baseball.— s
- I don't understand how people think this is a bad move. There is no risk associated. If he is done, you cut him and it costs you virtually nothing. People have an inflated value of Wilson Valdez. Castillo's worst offensive season is better than Valdez's best season. Furthermore, it provides organizational depth, so perhaps Brian Bocock won't be needed this year.— Armyofthe15Monkies
- Relax everyone. They're just going to take a look at the guy for a week or so and then release him before the team heads North, when they realize that he's finished.
— SteveS11 - they are sending the right message: doesn't matter who you are, you earn your job. I think the minor league deal basically tells Valdez it's his job to lose. It's actually a very smart move by the Phillies. If Castillo could play like he did in '09 it will be great for the Phillies; if not, nothing lost. Personally I would like to see this guy set the world on fire...why not, he's our player now. But if he doesn't, who cares. Good move again Ruben Amaro. Way to put yourself in a win/win situation.— ESFjellin
- Where's Solly Hemus when we need him?— stoky
- they are sending the right message: doesn't matter who you are, you earn your job. I think the minor league deal basically tells Valdez it's his job to lose. It's actually a very smart move by the Phillies. If Castillo could play like he did in '09 it will be great for the Phillies; if not, nothing lost. Personally I would like to see this guy set the world on fire...why not, he's our player now. But if he doesn't, who cares. Good move again Ruben Amaro. Way to put yourself in a win/win situation.— ESFjellin
- Castillo has never had 50 RBIs in a season
and has 28 home runs Total in his Career -
I think Valdez or the other infielders the Phillies have in camp now
could do just as good of a job as Castillo filling in for Utley.-
The Phillies need an RBI guy to make up for Werth and Utley's production.— phillydude - Comment removed.
- My only thought is that if he was willing to sign a minor league deal, why not take him up on it. I don't see a downside, at least at this point.— Joe Light
- S--- I think its your team that has all the injuries. Good luck with a Loser from the mets! See you in last place by mid season!— MRD
- Lighten up people. ANYONE would be a malcontent playing for the NY Mutts. All he needs to do here is perform better than Valdez would if pressed into a fulltime role. We lucked out with Valdez last year (he wasn't a career journeyman backup for nothing!) Cholly will schmooze him, and if that doesn't work, then the players can "convince" him how baseball is to be played in Philly.— jman
- What's the crying for? Unless you're a die-hard IronPigs fan.— ejc527
- What's the crying for? Unless you're a die-hard IronPigs fan.— ejc527
- Not that it's worth anything now, but didn't he have an epic hitting streak about a decade ago?— ejc527
- Solly Hemus?
Stoky, you are a hypocrite. Busting on 1Chair whenever he refers to long-ago Phillies players. Admit it - you have nothing constructive to add to any discussion. Hypocrite!— jman - I think you meant to say "see you *from* last place by midseason." 8-) We're not plagued by injuries. Utley is the only big one. No panic here with our starters. You poor Mets fans can only feel good by dumping guys.— s
Better not get rid of Wilson Valdez, He was the best Fielder last season.Luis Castillo, RUBIN I THINK YOU GOOFED.- Wilson isn't going anywhere.— s
- A nonguaranteed minor league contract and they only have to pay him 400 thousand if he makes the team. What's not to like?— Bartleby
- Sounds like Rubin is taking a page out of Joe Banner's book.— JohnnyH
- He doesn't get called up if he implodes in Allentown. If he gets called up it means that Valdez tanked (unlikely) and/or he's tearing it up offensively in AAA. They would only pay him 400k, and how sweet that the loser Mets would have to pay through the nose for the privilege of watching the Phils use him. Sounds like a plan.— Bob1
- Don't know a thing about the guy except he is inconsistant and has a rep as being a negative influence in the clubhouse. He is signed to a minor league contract for major leauge minimum. The team can evaluate him personally for a period of time and cut him loose if they don't like what they see. Low risk gamble with an easy out. Whats the problem?— JimSeitz
- DRAT!!! The only way we'd sign this mutt is if Chase is down for the count. Hope we hold onto Martinez and that Valdez keeps up his ace fielding. Grrrrr— bingbangbong
- I like this move. I'd rather have a proven vet than a bunch of no-names. This move can't hurt the Phillies.— FranMc73
- On paper this move seems sensible, due to the sheer fact that it is a minor league deal. However when you think of the damage something like this must do to the morale of Valdez, Young, and Barfield, who are all having stellar springs, it doesn't seem like the best move.— Mo Biggsley
- He won't make it out of the minors. Its irrelevant.
Or better, make him look good, and then trade him back to the mets for their draft choices (they should have good ones based on how bad they are).— fmMD 
Based on everything that Rube has done to this point, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's at least earned that much. In the end, however, the guy the Phil's will rely on is already here: Pete Orr. And RF will be fine with Mayberry. Relax. Be cool. Utley is dinged, but not a whole season dinged.- good move for now— Tony Wayne
- A clubhouse cancer, by all accounts. I don't like this AT ALL.— ANGRY AL 2
- what dont you people understand about a minor league contract??? if he is a cancer he will be cut. there is a lot of low IQ baseball people posting on here— djmar
- How can a minor league contract hurt. It has a lot of upside and no downside at all.— pattymac3
- How can a minor league contract give Ruben a bad mark. He will at least get on base and take more walks then anyone on this team. There is nothing to lose here folks except acquiring a guy that has a career obp of 370..If he doesn't make the team there is nothing lost— pattymac3
- Although I am not thrilled, you can't hate the move for the money, he is exercising all the options w/o making any rash big trades.— phigglesfan75
- i would rather see what the young kids can do. maybe we will be surprised like with valdez last year— your_mom_says_hi!
- A career 370 obp folks...— pattymac3
- Its nothing more than an insurance move for depth. Low-risk high reward move, that's all. There's no guarantee that he'll make the team. No need to panic.
- It's a good move. The Phillies need somebody who will take some pitches at the top of the line-up and maybe Castillo can fill the bill. Plus he has a couple of rings so that can't hurt.— jtj06
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Don't really understand it- Wilson Valdez did a damn good job filling in last season. To me, the Phils are showing no faith in him and picking up a stinkin ex-Met who's a head case. I only hope he comes back to haunt his former team, but I highly doubt it.— frankiex13
- I thoroughly disagree with everyone who is ruing and bemoaning this move. The Phils owe Castillo NOTHING unless he makes the club, which he won't if Rubes and Charlie decide he's going to be a clubhouse cancer or a loafer. And if he does make the team, they owe him a measly 400 grand. It's not a low-risk move. It's a no-risk move. And remember, from a strictly on-the-field perspective, Castillo is a proven major leaguer, which Josh Barfield, Delwyn Young and Michael Martinez aren't. Last point: This implies no disrespect of Valdez at all. Valdez is going to be needed to play SS and maybe 3rd as well, given that aging Polanco and Rollins will need regular rest, and Polanco is already looking fragile. The Phillies are in need of infield depth this year as never before in the tenure of the current starters, and Amaro is doing what he can to provide it.— Dave Clemens
- Why all the usual angst? If he's done, he's done, if he's not, looks like Phils need a major-league 2nd baseman.— PhillySubsMac
- A three time all-star for $414,000? It would have been idiotic to not give him a chance.— oot
- A three time all-star for $414,000? It would have been idiotic to not give him a chance.— oot
- WHY???? If he can't play for the Mutts and they are paying him 6 mil not to play, then why do the Phils think he can still play?— alihajishank
- Flat out STUPID move! How sad is this farm system we have that you have to sign a washed up backup to see if he can play? Amaro starts out the year in idiotic fashion.— twpman1
- It tell all of us more about Chase than about Castillo.....and the big question is WHY DID THE CLUB NOT MAKE CHASE GET HIS SURGERY AT THE END OF LAST SEASON SO HE WOULD BE REHABING AND JOINING THE TEAM AT THE4 ALL STAR BREAK.....not a good sign for Chase......— nuggett
Larry Bowa told Mikey Miss this past Friday afternoon for all to hear that Castillo is done, a negative in the clubhouse, and he would not want him if he was the manager...
great "reporting"! geez, how about some stats on Castillo, esp. this spring!!!!!!— tfcino1- can't wait for this guy to get ripped the first time he fails to run out a popup— youknowitstrue
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