The New York Mets released second baseman Luis Castillo Friday and not soon after, the Chicago Cubs were one of several teams reportedly interested in signing him. The Mets will pay virtually all of the remaining $6 million owed to Castillo for this season … any team that signs Castillo will be responsible only for the $414,000 major league minimum.
Luis Castillo will clear waivers Sunday afternoon and figures to sign quickly according to a report from Ken Rosenthal. The rumor mill has suggested that Jim Hendry has had interest in Luis Castillo for years … and as recently as 2009.
The Cubs and Mets discussed a deal that would have sent Luis Castillo to the Cubs for Milton Bradley. The deal fell through and Bradley was traded to the Mariners for Carlos Silva.
According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs second base job “is somewhat unsettled with two weeks to go before Opening Day.” Jeff Baker and Darwin Barney have performed well according to Levine but Blake DeWitt, the only left-hander in the mix at second base, has struggled in the field and at the plate.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies, Orioles and Marlins have also shown interest in signing Luis Castillo once he clears waivers.
Luis Castillo’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Stay Tuned …