Redmond invites former Marlins greats to camp

JUPITER, Fla. -- A couple of the most popular Marlins in the club's history have been invited to spend time around the team in Spring Training. It's part of manager Mike Redmond's plan to change the culture around a team seeking a winning identity.

Redmond has reached out to Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo about spending a day or two at camp to interact with the players. No firm dates have been set, but sometime in March, Lowell and Castillo could be in uniform on the field and in the clubhouse.

"We're working on it," Redmond said. "It's not 100 percent sure, but we're trying to lock down some dates for those guys. I think it's important, when we talk about things like changing the culture.

"For me, it's important to bring back good guys. Guys that I've played with. Guys who are good guys, and were great players with the Marlins. Guys who are great players in the community. Those two guys meant so much to our team, to our franchise. I want to bring those guys back and have them on the field, even if it is just for a couple of days. Just for them to be around."

With the Marlins, Lowell and Castillo were World Series champions, All-Stars and Gold Glove Award winners. Redmond said the two wouldn't have any responsibilities other than to be themselves.

"Just being on the field, and just be there to talk and maybe tell a couple of stories," Redmond said. "That's why I want to bring those guys around. A lot of teams have former players around. I think it's important to have former players around."