Originally posted by AP/Baltimore SunThe Expos made their first big splash since announcing their move to Washington, agreeing yesterday to a $6.2 million, two-year contract with third baseman Vinny Castilla and a $16.8 million, four-year deal with shortstop Cristian Guzman.
Castilla, 37, hit .271 with 35 homers and an NL-leading 131 RBIs last season for Colorado, the best season for the two-time All-Star since he was with the Rockies in 1990s.
Guzman, 26, batted .274 last season with eight homers, 46 RBIs and 10 steals for Minnesota. He led AL shortstops with a .983 fielding percentage.
"Two big holes on the left side of the infield are filled," manager Frank Robinson said. "It was nice to go out and fill those holes in a short period of time with quality players."
Intersting, because it sounded like the Nats were going to re-sign Tony Batista, and I figured that Guzman would be interesting to one of the contending teams with shortstop woes.
Looks like Alex Gonzales gets to find a new job...
Is 'Nationals' the actual name? When did they announce it? I was hoping for 'Filibusters,' myself...
Agent: Tell you what, sir. From now on, you'll be, uh, Homer Thompson at Terror Lake. Let's just practise a bit, hmm? When I say, "Hello, Mr. Thompson," you'll say, "Hi." Homer: Check. Agent: Hello, Mr. Thompson. Homer: [stares blankly] Agent: Remember now, your name is Homer Thompson. Homer: I gotcha. Agent: Hello, Mr. Thompson. Homer: [stares blankly] [A long time later] Agent: [sighs in frustration] Now, when I say, "Hello, Mr. Thompson," and press down on your foot, you smile and nod. Homer: No problem. Agent: Hello, Mr. Thompson! [stomps on Homer's foot a few times] Homer: [stares blankly then says to other agent] I think he's talking to you.....
Originally posted by WhitebaconCastilla shores up the defense, no question, but he'll probably be leaving his bat in Denver.
And is replacing a guy that hit 32HR with 110RBI for the Expos last year...
And who also managed to hit .241/.272. The fact that Batista drove in 110 runs is about as good an argument as you can get against RBI being a good reason to sign anyone. Castilla hitting .218/.281 on the road this season but having 131 RBI is another really good one, though.
Guzman and Castilla are both rather pointless and bad players; Castilla still fields quite well, so he's got that going for him, but away from Coors he's been mediocre at best, God awful terrible bad at worst. He's also going to be 38 next season. Guzman can't hit and has always been described as lazy, so giving him $17 million over 4 years seems a little...much.
Jim Bowden is really a terrible GM. Castilla getting $6 million over two years is not a big deal; if he sucks, then deal with it and buy him out or trade him if you can. But Guzman is locked up for four years and if HE sucks, then you have a slight problem on your hands. Why are you paying over $4 million/season to an eight-hitter with questionable defensive ability, anyway? Because you're Jim Bowden, that's why. These signings are not a hot start.
Originally posted by Big BadIs 'Nationals' the actual name? When did they announce it?
They haven't. Maybe Grimis is just calling them that because they're in the NL. If you look at the actual article, it still says Expos. And I'm sure that they'll end up being the Washington Senators, again.
NOTE: The above post makes no sense. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Nationals has been rumored as the frontrunner for the past few weeks since Senators is old and busted (as well as owned by Texas) and Nationals is the original hotness; it was the team's name until the early 50's (though everyone called them the Senators.)
I say stick it to the NBA and call them the Bullets. I'm sure the Wizards might have a problem with that, though.
Hierarchy of Deities: Sarah Vowell > Roger Ebert > Albert Pujols > God
So, um, I don't want you to believe everything you hear at the parent-teacher conference, okay, 'cause...they lie. And they exaggerate. That's why they're teachers, right? Those who can't, right, Mom? Those who can't.
Originally posted by LexusFrankly, Castilla and Guzman will put butts in the seats better than some crappy mascot.
Ridiculous.
"Come on, Frank, let's skip out of work today to go watch Cristian Guzman play for the hometown team."
Bowden really must think he has money to burn, because signing these two guys is going to bite him in the ass. Castilla is the biggest beneficiary of Coors Field ever (he or Dante Bichette). Guzman is mediocre at best and there's about a bajillion shortstops on the market, too. Additionally, signing these guys before December 7th, cost the Expos their second and third picks in the amateur draft. These signings are not defensible in any way, shape or form.
Originally posted by LexusFrankly, Castilla and Guzman will put butts in the seats better than some crappy mascot.
Ridiculous.
"Come on, Frank, let's skip out of work today to go watch Cristian Guzman play for the hometown team."
Bowden really must think he has money to burn, because signing these two guys is going to bite him in the ass. Castilla is the biggest beneficiary of Coors Field ever (he or Dante Bichette). Guzman is mediocre at best and there's about a bajillion shortstops on the market, too. Additionally, signing these guys before December 7th, cost the Expos their second and third picks in the amateur draft. These signings are not defensible in any way, shape or form.
To defend Castilla slightly, he did put up good numbers for the Braves a few years ago. It was with Tampa that he really sucked, but, to be fair, so did everyone else on that Tampa team. As for Guzman, 4 years to a turf shortstop who will be playing on what probably will be a horrendous natural grass field? Over/under yet on when Bowden will try to package the entire Montreal farm system to the Reds for Griffey?
The Ottoman Empire is coming. The Ottoman Empire is coming. Hide the couches.
Even the better of the two seasons he spent with the Braves is pretty mediocre. Going beyond HR/RBI for Castilla (and nothing else is special anyway) isn't important, because he's signed to play a good third and hit for power. He has always played third well, and there's no reason to expect him to suddenly stop THAT, but to give up a draft pick to rush and get Vinny Castilla? That doesn't really seem like good General Managering to me.
Originally posted by ScottChrist but to give up a draft pick to rush and get Vinny Castilla? That doesn't really seem like good General Managering to me.
Or to me, either. Vinny turns 38 on the Fourth of July, so he will be half a year past his 39th birthday when this contract expires. He cannot possibly be expected to put up Coors numbers in Washington and he will be old.
Thread ahead: Nationals take Guillen off Anaheim's hands Next thread: Cardinals new Stadium construction halted Previous thread: Gary Sheffield target of Blackmail scheme
The current issue of Baseball America spotlights the major league GMS and there's a feature article in there on Billy Beane and his "new school" way of GMing.