With no money available, an all-star second baseman out indefinitely with a knee injury and no teams willing to help the Phillies by handing them a solid major leaguer right now, Ruben Amaro had to sign former Met Luis Castillo. He had no real choice.

Don’t make this signing out to be more than it is. This gives the Phillies, the favorite to march down Broad Street again this fall, an insurance policy and nothing more.

The Phillies signed former Madoffs second baseman Luis Castillo to a minor league deal.

Castillo, the former starting second bagger for the Mets Madoffs, was released last week with about $6 million left on his deal. The Phillies will owe him the major league minimum. More than likely, he’ll be on the roster as a backup to Wilson Valdez should Chase Utley be out for the year.

Castillo is no longer an everyday player — unless being in the last year of his contract spurs the ever-popular “contract year.” Never a power hitter, Castillo has hit for average during his career. He’s a career .290 guy. However, his last three years have been .245, 3.302 and .235. Yeah, two of the last three years have been putrid.

Still, he provides a veteran presence and a capable backup glove — and even a potential bat off the bench — for a team that is down an all-star. Utley’s injury weakens the bench because now you have to play Valdez. Castillo can fill Valdez’s role at the very least. That makes his signing a no brainer for a team with no real options elsewhere.