Updated: Phillies' interest in Castillo "remains to be seen"
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Updated: Phillies' interest in Castillo "remains to be seen"
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Update: 1:28 p.m.
The Phillies haven't ruled out signing newly-released second baseman Luis Castillo. At least that was the impression given by assistant general manager Scott Proefrock today.
When asked of the Phillies' interest in the three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover, Profefrock said, "That remains to be seen."
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Chase Utley returned to Clearwater today after visiting a rehab specialist and participated in batting practice. But he still doesn't appear to be close to shaking off the patellar tendinitis, bone inflammation and chondromalacia that has kept him out of action the entire spring.
Which brings us to this bit of news. . .
The Mets have released 35-year-old second baseman Luis Castillo, a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner who was a key member of the Marlins' 2003 World Series team, according to multiple reports out of New York.
The 35-year-old Castillo struggled last season, hitting .235 with a .337 on base percentage, .267 slugging percentage. But he was plagued with foot injuries last season that limited him to just 86 games.
Our Paul Hagen caught up with an NL scout who has watched Castillo and the Mets this spring and his analysis was blunt:
"He's done," the scout said. "I don't think he can play anymore."
Still, Castillo has been a high on base percentage guy throughout this career and since turning 30 has converted 89 of 117 stolen base attempts (76 percent).
And he is just one year removed from a season in which he hit .302 with a .387 on base percentage and converted 20 of 26 stolen base attempts while playing in 142 games.
From 1999-2009 Castillo hit .298 with a .375 on base percentage and .362 slugging percentage and averaged 36 steals and 99 runs scored every 162 games.
This spring, Castillo is 8-for-28 with three walks (a .286 batting average and .355 on base percentage).
Castillo is owed $6 million this season, the final year of his contract, but assuming he has already passed through waivers, any team that signs him will only be responsible for $400,000 of it.
That's what we know right now.
** Embedded below is a video of Kenny Chesney, who visited with Charlie Manuel and the Phillies.
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Comment removed.
Highest NL payroll and the team has to slum for Mets castoffs? SF/Sox WS.— Steve Jeltz- I always like Castillo. High on base percentage guy, good contact hitter with good speed and great bunter, something the Phillies have lacked forever. For $400,000 a take a flyer on this guy. You pencil him in the second slot and move Polly 6 or 7. And btw, he won 3 GG.— EL Zorro
- The Mets released him mainly because he's making too much money and they are in financial trouble. And Eckstein, you got to be kidding. I woudl rather stay with Valdez.— EL Zorro
- @Zorro, just because the Mets released Castillo does not mean they are not obligated to pay him. They are still on the hook for the $6 million he's due in 2011. They released him because, as the scout was quoted as saying, "He's done." More importantly, the new regime, headed by Sandy Alderson, is trying to rid itself of the stench from the Omar Minaya era, namely Castillo and Oliver Perez.
From the NY Post: GM Sandy Alderson also admitted Castillo’s perception among fans -- he and Perez are emblematic of failures by the past regime -- played into the decision.
“It was a factor to us and I think it was a factor for Louie as well,” Alderson said. “Realistically, one has to admit those things can come into play.”
— PhightinPhil - Oops, my bad, you're right Phil. I guess I was blinded by the no-guaranteed contract in football. I was into my four beer already. Yes, I guess Alderson wants his own players. But I never heard Castillo as being problematic.— EL Zorro
- Ok, not more football talk in this blog.— EL Zorro
- @Zorro - No worries. You should know, however, that Castillo was not well-liked in the Mets clubhouse.— PhightinPhil
- eckstein is horrible please don't bring him in castillo I would work him out see what he looks like if he is finished don't sign him— only 9
- Comment removed.
- Sign him, put him on lots of juice, and play him until he gets caught--probably hitting about .350 and stealing successfully 85% of the time. MLB should allow old players to juice to the max if they want to.— orange rhino
- Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!— NewMick314
- Do NOT sign him.— 1aviator
- From down in spring training - give one of the " kids" a chance to play. We don't need some over the hill, poor attitude Met reject on the Phils.
- He's washed up. Get him for nothing and it's still a bad deal for the Phillies. Besides,..... he's a Met. "nuff said.— joefish625
