Twins reportedly near deal with Mets

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Minnesota would receive two prospects for veteran Castillo
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins are close to a deal that would send second baseman Luis Castillo to the Mets in exchange for two Minor League prospects, The Star Tribune is reporting.
Crediting a Major League source, the newspaper reported the Twins would likely receive two prospects in the deal: Double-A catcher Drew Butera, the son of former Major League catcher Sal Butera, and Class A outfielder Dustin Martin.

Castillo, who is earning $5.75 million and will be a free agent at the end of the season, would replace Ruben Gotay as the Mets' second baseman. Gotay has been filling in since Jose Valentin recently suffered a season-ending injury when he fouled a pitch off his leg, breaking his shin.

A three-time Gold Glove winner, Castillo is batting .304 for the Twins this season and has been the club's primary leadoff hitter. Castillo leads the American League and is second in baseball to Colorado's Willy Taveras with 37 infield hits.

Exactly who would replace Castillo at second base is uncertain. The expected long-term successor to Castillo is Triple-A Rochester second baseman Alexi Casilla. The Twins could also use Nick Punto at the position.

The Twins entered play Monday seven games behind the first-place Tigers in the American League Central and 6 1/2 games out of the Wild Card race.

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This trade just happened.  Twins send Castillo to the Mets for two prospects.

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Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have traded second baseman Luis Castillo to the New York Mets in exchange for catcher Drew Butera and centerfielder Dustin Martin.
Castillo, 31, batted .304 (106-for-349) with 54 runs scored, 11 doubles, three triples and 18 RBIs in 85 games for the Twins this season. The Twins acquired Castillo in a trade with the Florida Marlins on December 2, 2005. In his two seasons as a Twin, Castillo batted .299 (279-for-933) with 138 runs scored, 33 doubles, nine triples, three home runs and 67 RBIs. He was 34-for-49 (69%) in stolen base attempts and had a .357 on-base percentage.

Butera, 23, was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft. He appeared in 52 games for Class A St. Lucie this season, batting .258 (47-for-182) with 14 doubles, five home runs and 22 RBIs before being promoted to Double-A Binghamton on June 22. In 30 games with Binghamton, he batted .188 (22-for-117) with two doubles, one home run and four RBIs. Butera will be assigned to Double-A New Britain in the Eastern League.

Martin, 23, was originally drafted by the Mets in the 26th round of the 2006 First year Player Draft. In 93 games with Class A St. Lucie this season, he batted .287 (104-for-363) with 22 doubles, six triples, five home runs and 52 RBIs. Martin will be assigned to Class A Ft. Myers in the Florida State League.

To replace Castillo on the 25-man roster, the Twins will recall infielder Alexi Casilla from Triple-A Rochester. Casilla, who was hitting .269 (86-for-320) with the Red Wings, will be making his second appearance for the Twins this season.