Phils, Juan Castro agree to deal , pending physical
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Phils, Juan Castro agree to deal , pending physical
The Phillies and veteran utilityman Juan Castro have agreed in principle on a contract, and will likely finalize the agreement with a physical next week, Castro’s agent told the Inquirer today. Additionally, there were strong indications in baseball that a one-year deal could be announced next week, pending the results of the physical.
According to agent Oscar Suarez, Castro is out of the country, which is why he will not likely take the physical until next week.
"We have been in discussions with his agent," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "That's all I can tell you right now."
Castro, 37, is a .230 hitter, with a .270 on-base percentage, in 15 major league seasons. In 57 games with the Dodgers last year, he batted .277, while playing shortstop, second base, third base and left field.
He fits the profile of what the Phils are seeking at the utility position: a versatile defender who can provide a modest offensive upgrade over Bruntlett, and can fill in for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Manager Charlie Manuel is notoriously reluctant to utilize his bench players extensively, and has said publicly that he wants a utility player capable can of starting in place of Rollins and Chase Utley. Bruntlett, who batted .171 in 72 games last season, clearly never gained Manuel’s trust.
Rollins and Utley will both be 31 next season, and would benefit from regular time off. Rollins played in 155 games last season; Utley 156. The second baseman in particular endured a rough September, batting just .204. He later admitted to suffering mental and physical fatigue late in the season.
Comments (102)
who? we can't do better than a lifetime .230 hitter? better than bruntlett? sure...but come on. and 37 years old?— djacobs5582- Hopefully, the 30's are the new 20's.— SPBilly
Comment removed.- They must figure anybody's better than Bruntlett.— wooderice
- This is the latest Phils news? We are looking to sign some old clown to replace Bruntlett? Castro better have a sick beard....— BillF1sher
- Makes me yearn for the days of EB and his grizzled mug....— bdc333
- You do realize that Ibanez is 37— bobf876
- If he hit .277 in limited action last year and can repeat it in the same limited action next year, that's a huge improvement over Beardie McGee.— B in DC
- What??????????HUH???????— psuwelsh
- He can't be any worse than Bruntlett.— Drummerboy79
- Ibañez didnt have power #'s like this before coming to philly...Dont look at .230 career...look at .277 this past season.— Will.i.Am
- Face it, the only free agent who can (a) hit and (b) play multiple positions is Marco Scutaro, and he's going to get starter money from someone besides the Phils.— paolibulldog
- Comment removed.
- My 88-year-old grandfather can play better than Bruntlett...and he'll play for free healthcare. Deal?— jjbrett23
- Yes, by all means let's look only at his career-high .277 in 2009. I'm sure that he has established a new, sustainable level of performance at age 37.— Stevis
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
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