Luis

Castillo

''This morning when I woke up I felt really, really sore,’' said Castillo, who was hobbling around the Marlins clubhouse Monday with an ice bag strapped to his leg. “I don’t how many days I’ll miss.” Damion Easley will cover for Castillo.

He could return to the lineup today.

After the Marlins clinched the wildcard, manager Jack McKeon told an aching Castillo not to even think about putting his spikes on. So ends a disappointing season for Castillo. He hit .314/.381/.397, scored 99 runs and had a career-high 187 hits, but was only 21-for-40 in the stolen base department. He’ll start at second base in the playoffs.

The change is expected to make it less likely that Castillo will return to Florida in 2004. He’s believed to be seeking a three-year, $20 million contract.

“We believe they were fair-market offers that certainly acknowledge the caliber of both players,” GM Larry Beinfest said. Seth Levinson, who represents both Castillo and Lowell, has yet to comment. It’s likely that further negotiations will take place with both players.

Castillo is believed to be seeking about $20 million over three years. The Marlins probably won’t go that high, making it likely that the second baseman will head elsewhere. The Mets, Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are believed to be interested.

Two National League sources told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that only a few minor details remained before the three-year, $15.5 million deal with an option for 2007 would become official.

Under the teams of Castillo’s three-year, $16 million contract, he will receive a $2 million signing bonus, all of which is deferred without interest and must be paid by the end of the contract at the team’s discretion. He will earn $4 million in 2004, $4.5 million in 2005, and $5 million in 2006. The Marlins hold a $5.75 million option for 2007 with a $500,000 buyout.

Their previous offer was believed to be worth $15.5 million over three years. Now, as long as he stays relatively healthy, he’ll have a chance to make $21.5 million over four years.

The Marlins, Cubs and Mets all now appear to be offering Castillo a three-year deal with a vesting option for a fourth year. It might be that the team that guarantees Castillo the fourth year could land him.