CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Luis Castillo has agreed to a Minor League contract with the Phillies, a source said Sunday night.The fact the Phillies are bringing Castillo into camp shows just how concerned they are about Chase Utley's right knee. Utley could miss months of the 2011 season because of patellar tendinitis, chondromalacia and bone inflammation, although Utley said Sunday he is "moving in the right direction."The New York Mets released Castillo on Friday and the Phillies immediately expressed interest. Castillo cleared waivers Sunday afternoon. ESPN New York first reported a deal was close. CSNPhilly.com first reported it was a Minor League deal.
The Minor League contract certainly suggests the Phillies are not prepared to hand a job to Castillo. He will have to earn one, although there is not much time. There are just 12 days remaining before Opening Day.
If the Phillies had offered Castillo a Major League contract, they would be on the hook for $414,000 of his $6 million salary. The Minor League deal would be for less money, which means if the Phillies feel Castillo cannot help the team, they simply could let him go at little cost.
Castillo hit .286 with no extra-base hits in 28 at-bats this spring with the Mets. He committed one error and made other notable misplays in the field. Mets manager Terry Collins called Castillo into his office at one point for what he perceived as sullen behavior.Conversely, the five infielders already in Phillies camp with a chance for playing time at second base generally have fared better:
• Wilson Valdez, who remains the favorite to be the Opening Day second baseman, has hit .439 (18-for-41) with three doubles, one home run and six RBIs.
• Josh Barfield has hit .344 (11-for-32) with three doubles, one triple and three RBIs.
• Pete Orr has hit .333 (12-for-36) with three doubles, three triples and two RBIs.
• Michael Martinez has hit .292 (14-for-48) with three homers, two home runs and six RBIs.
• Delwyn Young, who is more of an outfielder than a second baseman, has hit .292 (14-for-48) with two doubles, one home run and three RBIs.
Castillo hit just .235 with a .337 on-base percentage and a .267 slugging percentage in 86 games last season with the Mets, although he hit .302 with a .387 on-base percentage in 2009. He has had trouble staying healthy because of knee problems and had fallen out of favor amongst Mets fans for memorably dropping a popup in a '09 series against the New York Yankees, costing the Mets a victory.Scouts who have seen Castillo play in the past year think he has lost speed and quickness, which essentially is his game.
The Phillies will get a chance to see if those views are accurate.
The Phillies still think Utley will be back this season, so Castillo could be a short-term solution if he earns a job."You know what? He's getting a little better," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's not coming real fast, but he's showing -- according to the doctors and trainers -- he's starting to get better. It seems like it's going to take a while, though."And that is why they are bringing Castillo aboard.
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