By DavidKaye
In need of added depth in the infield the New York Mets acquired three-time gold glove second baseman Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for minor league catcher Drew Butera and minor league outfielder Dustin Martin.
"We pride our team as being pitching and defense," said Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "Castillo is one of the best second basemen in baseball."
Although Ruben Gotay has filled in nicely at second for Jose Valentin who fractured his right leg earlier this month, the Mets needed a veteran presence at a critical position as they enter the dog days of summer.
Castillo ,31, is a career .294 hitter and has swiped 315 bases during his twelve big league seasons. In 1999 he had 50 stolen bases, 62 in 2000 and 48 in 2002. He has spent the last two seasons in the Twin Cities after winning a World Series ring during his ten seasons in South Florida.
