Mets, backup catcher Castro closing in on two-year deal

NEW YORK -- Ramon A. Castro and the Mets closed in on a two-year contract Tuesday that would keep their second-string catcher in New York.

The deal could be completed sometime soon, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized.

Castro filed for free agency after batting .285 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 144 at-bats during an injury-shortened season. He has spent the past three seasons with the Mets, serving as the primary backup to Mike Piazza in 2005 and then Paul Lo Duca the past two years.

Lo Duca also is a free agent, leaving the Mets with a big hole to fill behind the plate this offseason. Castro would give them some assurance, though the team probably wants to land a No. 1 catcher to play in front of him.

Yorvit Torrealba, who helped the Colorado Rockies win the NL pennant, is among the possibilities. The 29-year-old hit .255 with eight homers and 47 RBI last season.

The 31-year-old Castro spent his first six major league seasons with the Florida Marlins. He is a .234 career hitter with 41 homers and 137 RBI in 398 games. He set a career high for home runs this season.