According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, The Phillies have agreed to sign Luis Castillo to a minor league contract. That’s right, Castillo will be playing for the enemy after being under team control since 2007. Castillo would likely fill the currently vacant spot while the ailing Chase Utley recuperates from his knee injury that will sideline him for an unknown amount of time.
This news comes just two days after the Mets released the veteran infielder, to the delight of most of the fan base. Early speculation predicted the Marlins and Phillies as possible landing spots given their unsure second base situations. It was earlier reported today by Adam Rubin that Castillo and the Phillies were close to a deal.
Castillo will earn $6 million this year, now likely around only $5.6 of it payed by the Mets. The Phillies will likely pay Castillo near the league minimum of a little more than $400,000.
As we all know, Castillo had another disappointing season in 2010 batting .235/.337/.267 with the Mets. If he has the same amount of production, or lack there of, in 2011, Castillo would likely result in becoming “subtraction by addition” if you will, for Philadelphia this season.
