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The Phillies have released Luis Castillo and given Pete Orr the final roster spot
The Phillies brought in veteran 2B Luis Castillo on a non-guaranteed minor league contract. It was essentially a seven game tryout. Evidently he didn’t show them enough over that time to keep him around. According to Jim Salisbury the deal they agreed with Castillo was that it was all or nothing proposition. Either he’d make the team or get his full release.
Castillo hit .273 with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts in seven games for the Phillies this spring. Charlie Manuel had this to say.
“Basically, we had a short time in Spring Training to watch [Castillo],” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We have a couple of guys that were there the whole way that we really like.
“He’s in good shape. Last night, he played a pretty good game. As far as the way our team lines up and the fact that Valdez played such a big role on our team last year and can play multiple positions. … Martinez has been very intriguing in Spring Training, and we have options. And we are planning on getting Utley back.”
This all but guarantees that Wilson Valdez will be the opening day second baseman while one of either Delwyn Young or Pete Orr will make the 25 man roster as his backup.
With Chase Utley yet to play in a spring training game as he suffers from patella tendinitis, the Phillies made a move to acquire some depth at second base signing former Met Luis Castillo to a minor league deal according CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury. Castillo was released by the Mets on Friday and cleared waivers this afternoon.
Wilson Valdez is expected to be the opening day second baseman with Utley likely starting the year on the DL. Castillo will compete with the likes of Josh Barfield and Pete Orr, who have played 2B in the spring, for a roster spot. This seems to be a fairly no-brainer type move for the Phils in that they risk almost nothing because he comes incredibly cheap. The Mets will still be on the hook for six million owed to Castillo, while the Phillies will pay him only the veteran minimum.
However, while it's a low risk move it's probably also only mild reward. He is likely to be more productive than Wilson Valdez, but he's not the player he once was. The Good Phight has more on some of the projections for Castillo if you're interested. Bill James is optimistic, while other systems don't quite agree. Still, the 35 year old is veteran major leaguer who can get on base and while he struggled through an injury filled 2010, he did have a good 2009.
Whether Castillo proves to be Plan C or Plan B remains to be seen, but Plan A is clearly to get Utley healthy and back.
Pete Orr Grabs Phillies Final Roster Spot
In the wake of Luis Castillo’s release and given Chase Utley’s injury, the Phillies needed another middle infielder on their roster. As it turns out, that man is 31 year old career minor leaguer Pete Orr. His ability to also play third base is apparently what might have pushed him above Delywn Young, who was also in contention for the last spot on the 25 man roster.
How about some Pete Orr fun facts? He’s played for three of the five NL East teams (Braves, Nationals & Phillies). He’s Canadian and is actually a cousin of Flyers’ defenseman Nick Boynton. It’s almost too perfect that the one non hockey playing Canadian athlete in town is related to a pro hockey player.
In addition to Orr, rule 5 guys Michael Martinez made the roster also as a extra infielder. He’ll likely just be around for defensive purposes since he’s not useful with the bat…
David Herndon got the final bullpen spot over Mike Stutes, who sent to Lehigh Valley.
Mar 30 8:51p by Jason Brewer