Philadelphia Phillies: Signing Luis Castillo Is Low-Risk, Average-Reward

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Luis Castillo to a minor league deal and it makes perfect sense to do so.

Castillo, a second baseman, will either make the major league roster or will be released according to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro. If he makes the roster, the Phillies will only be on the hook for $414,000 (major league minimum) while the New York Mets, who released Castillo on Friday, are paying him $6 million this season.

Castillo is hoping to enter his 16th season in the big leagues after spending the previous 15 seasons almost entirely in the National League East between the Florida Marlins and Mets.

Castillo spent part of 2006 and 2007 in the American League with the Minnesota Twins. Castillo hit .286 this spring with the Mets.

If Chase Utley is to miss a significant amount of playing time at the beginning of the season, having Castillo around may not be a bad option.

Castillo will have to win a roster spot against guys like Wilson Valdez and Josh Barfield. Valdez appears to be the leader for the starting job with Utley out at second base and the signing of Castillo does little to change that.

But having Castillo on the bench looks to be a better option that putting trust in an unproven player like Barfield, despite a very good spring.

In fact, every player this spring who can play second base has been performing well at the plate. Barfield (.344) and Pete Orr (.333) have done well for themselves.

So, where does Castillo fit on the major league roster? It depends on Utley’s status for 2011.

“You know what? [Utley]‘s getting a little better,” 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.”

The reports coming from Phillies suggest that Utley will play in 2011 and he just recently returned to training camp to take batting practice. He has not played in a single spring training game this year and concerns about his health have grown among fans in recent weeks.

If Utley is going to miss some time, the Phillies feel confident in the players they have on board, but if the worst case scenario takes place and Utley is out for the season, having a veteran player at second base like Castillo could prove to be valuable.

Castillo is not Utley and today he may not even be Valdez. His speed has diminished in recent years and his health has been a concern, but he could be a good option for Charlie Manuel to split time with Valdez through a majority of the season.

Valdez can’t be played every day, so somebody needs to be ready to take some time in the field and at the plate.

Castillo could realistically be that guy.

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