Mets finalize 4-year, $25M Castillo deal
The deal, the Mets' first major move of the off-season, resolves the team's opening at second base at a time when they are unsettled at catcher and have now lost left-hander Tom Glavine to the Braves.
The Astros, Nationals and Cubs all had expressed interest in Castillo, whom the Mets acquired from the Twins for two minor leaguers last July 30.
Mets officials last week met with free-agent shortstop David Eckstein, who played second base in the minors with the Red Sox's organization. But Castillo, 32, was their first choice.
A four-year contract for Castillo amounts to a risk, considering that he has battled leg problems over the past several seasons. But when healthy, Castillo is a dynamic top-of-the-order presence.
Over the past five seasons Castillo has batted .301, 19th best in MLB.
The Mets are not oblivious to medical concerns — they ended negotiations with free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba over the weekend, apparently because of questions about the condition of his right shoulder.
The Rockies are considering re-signing Torrealba to a two-year deal. The Mets likely will revisit other options at catcher, including a possible trade for the Orioles' Ramon Hernandez and Rangers' Gerald Laird.
Castillo had a .296 batting average and .371 on-base percentage in 50 games with the Mets last season. A three-time All-Star, he began his career with the Marlins before getting traded to the Twins after the 2005 season and the Mets last summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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