Luis Castillo didn’t need long to find a new home.
The former Mets second baseman will stay in the NL East, after last night reportedly agreeing to a minor league deal with the Phillies.
If Castillo, 35, makes the team, the Phillies would pay him the major league minimum of $414,000. The Mets would still be on the hook for the balance of Castillo’s $6 million salary this season.
The Phillies are desperate for help at second base as Chase Utley sits sidelined with a right knee injury. Wilson Valdez, Pete Orr, Josh Barfield and Michael Martinez are the other second-base candidates in the Phillies’ spring camp.
Castillo cleared waivers yesterday afternoon and did not appear to have many options. The Marlins, for whom Castillo played 10 seasons, reportedly had discussions about a reunion, but never seriously entered the picture.
If Castillo makes the Phillies’ major league roster, the Mets won’t have to wait long to see him. The teams play a three-game series in Philadelphia beginning on April 5.
Castillo was dumped by the Mets because the organization became frustrated with his lack of range at second base, but general manager Sandy Alderson also admitted that fans’ disdain for the player factored into the equation.