Castillo signs with Phillies

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Just days after the Mets determined Luis Castillo wasn't good enough to be their second baseman, the Philadelphia Phillies are offering him a chance to be in their Opening Day lineup.

The Phillies, considered by many a hands-down favorite to make the World Series, announced Monday that they have signed Castillo to a minor-league deal.

With the injured Chase Utley expected to start the season on the disabled list, Castillo will be given an opportunity to win the starting job during the final nine days of spring training, general manager Ruben Amaro told reporters Monday.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the news that Castillo was signing with division rival Philadelphia "wasn't a surprise, wasn't unanticipated."

Before the Mets decided to cut Castillo, even though he is owed $6 million this season, Alderson said they asked themselves if they would be OK if he signed with another NL East team. The Mets decided that was a risk they were willing to accept, Alderson said.

If Castillo makes the Phillies, they will be responsible for paying him $414,000, the minimum salary for a major-league player. The Mets would be on the hook for the remaining $5,586,000.

Jose Reyes, who was Castillo's closest friend with the Mets, said he was not surprised that Castillo got a job with another team so quickly. "That's good, man. I'm happy for him," Reyes said. "He can still play."

Reyes said Castillo had "too much pressure on him here," so he understood that the Mets' decision to cut ties with him was in the best interests of both parties.

But now that Castillo could make the Phillies, Reyes knows he has to prepare himself for the possibility of rooting against his friend doing too well this season.

"We'll see him often, so I guess hopefully when we play him, he doesn't do too good, you know?" Reyes said. "But I wish him the best.''