Gold-Glove Second baseman Luis Castillo Is Now a Twin (photo by Getty Images)

The revamp is now complete. With first baseman Carlos Delgado traded to the Mets, third baseman Mike Lowell to the Red Sox, shortstop Alex Gonzalez a free agent and possibly not returning (especially after the acquisition of Hanley Ramirez from Boston), and now second baseman Luis Castillo sent to the Twins, the Marlins have officially dismantled their entire 2005 starting infield. Wow, congratulations Florida.

On the other side of the coin, the Minnesota Twins finally found their new second baseman, and for much less than Alfonso Soriano would have cost them. The Twins sent pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler to Florida in exchange for the 30-year-old Castillo. In acquiring the switch-hitting Castillo, the Twins get a player who has a lifetime .291 average and who has won the National League Gold Glove at second base the last three seasons. Although Castillo only hit 4 homeruns last year (he has only 20 in his career), he set a career-high with 18 sacrifices, and had an on-base percentage of .391 - his highest since 2000, when he had an OBP of .418 and stole 62 bases. He stole only 10 bases in 2005 while being slowed by hip and quadriceps injuries. Manager Ron Gardenhire says he has not decided yet whether he will use Castillo or left fielder Shannon Stewart in the Twins leadoff spot in 2006.

In sending Bowyer to Florida, Minnesota appears to be signaling that they have no intention of parting ways with closer Joe Nathan anytime soon. Bowyer had 23 saves for Triple-A Rochester in 2005 and was considered a potential replacement for Nathan should the Twins need to use him as trade bait. The trade also demonstrates that the Twins didn't feel comfortable with handing second base over to Michael Cuddyer, who is now expected to compete for the starting spot in right field with utility outfielder Lew Ford and Jason Kubel, who missed the entire 2005 season due to injury. Twins GM Terry Ryan insists that Minnesota is not done making offseason moves just yet, intending still to fill needs at third base and designated hitter.

» Twins strike deal for Castillo [twinsbaseball.com]

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