Luis Castillo has found a new home. The former New York Mets second baseman will continue his career on a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for the new season. Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has not been participating in spring practices due to knee injuries and is therefore not cleared to play. Castillo, even though named an underachiever, was taken on by the Philadelphia team after the Mets released him without paying the $6 million that was supposed to be paid to him according to his contract. The 35-year old was hitting .286 with two RBI in no more than eleven games during the spring this year. This performance paired with his batting average lost him his starting spot to Ruben Tejada and Luis Hernandez.
According to Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies general manager, Castillo needs to prove himself. “We’re going to see if he can play second base,” he said. “If he can helps us it would be great, If he can’t we’ll probably go with what we have in camp.” Castillo will need to be better than the other options still in camp. His main competitors will be Delwyn Young, Wilson Valdez, Josh Barfield, Pete Orr, and Rule 5 selection Michael Martinez.
