CLEARWATER, Fla. - For $414,000, the Phillies apparently are willing to see what's left in Luis Castillo's 35-year-old body.
The Phillies agreed to a minor-league deal with Castillo, the former all-star and Gold Glove second baseman who was unceremoniously cut by the Mets on Friday, according to a report by CSNPhilly.com, citing anonymous sources late Sunday night.
Castillo is due $6 million in the final year of a four-year, $25 million deal, but the Mets will be on the hook for everything but the major-league minimum. The second baseman cleared waivers Sunday.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. did not return requests for comment.
The acquisition is a low-risk move for the Phillies, who seek an upgrade over their current options in the wake of Chase Utley's knee problem, which will sideline him for the foreseeable future.
In New York, Castillo drew the ire of an entire fan base, seen as one of the overpriced, aging players who doomed the regime of Omar Minaya.
Castillo played in only 86 games in 2010 and hit .235 with a .604 OPS. Throughout his career, he has maintained a high on-base percentage and carried a capable glove. But scouts this spring have been critical of his quickness.
"His game in the last couple years, it's dwindled some," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Friday. "I don't know how much is there, but he used to be a hell of a player."