Chisox73
07-19-2006, 10:16 PM
Padres release Castilla, continue search for 3B
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvQ7iMXwQH4nORA_GPbd_54RvLYF?slug=ap-padres-castilla&prov=ap&type=lgns
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Third baseman Vinny Castilla was released by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, an unpopular move in the clubhouse and one that likely will hasten the NL West leaders' search for a replacement before the trading deadline.
"That's still our priority No. 1," general manager Kevin Towers said.
Although his defense was solid, the 39-year-old Castilla was hitting just .232 with four homers and 23 RBIs.
Castilla was waived for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release in order to open a roster spot for right-hander Mike Thompson, who started Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Thompson made a spot start in place of Chris Young, who has a stress reaction in his right foot.
"It doesn't get more difficult than that, the respect you have for Vinny," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to manage Vinny. That part of the game is always the hardest part. Vinny's a true professional and he understood."
Castilla, one of the Colorado Rockies' big hitters in the 1990s, had seen his on-base percentage dip to .260.
"When you have a third baseman as steady as Vinny, sure, it's a great thing to have," Bochy added. "But at the same time, you do need offensive production."
Castilla was well-liked in the clubhouse, and worked with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez when he struggled earlier in the season.
Gonzalez, in his first full big league season, has enjoyed a lot of success lately. He's tied with Atlanta's Chipper Jones for the NL lead with seven homers this month, and ranks second in the majors with 21 RBIs in July.
"I don't like it, obviously," right fielder Brian Giles said. "I think he's a good player, he's good for the clubhouse. It's kind of frustrating for the guys in here because everybody looked up to him as a leader. It's tough.
"Obviously you think there's something that's going to happen if they're going to let him go," Giles said. "But like I said, what he meant to our team and the guys in here, his personality, he brought a lot to this team."
Castilla hit 35 homers as recently as 2004, his second stint with Colorado. One of the original Blake Street Bombers playing at mile-high Coors Field, he hit 40, 40 and 46 homers from 1996-98.
Mark Bellhorn started at third on Wednesday, and Geoff Blum has also played the position.
"At least temporarily we will get more offense from the combination of Bellhorn and Blum," Towers said.
Bellhorn is hitting .206 with seven homers and 23 RBIs, but has 64 strikeouts. Blum is hitting .257 with one homer and 12 RBIs. Bellhorn has an on-base percentage of .298 and Blum, .288.
Castilla was acquired from the Washington Nationals for right-hander Brian Lawrence on Nov. 3.
Bochy didn't know if Castilla planned to retire. Castilla was informed of the move Tuesday night, and wasn't in the clubhouse Wednesday.
He is a career .276 hitter, with 319 homers and 1,101 RBIs in parts of 16 seasons. He also played for Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Houston.
He is the all-time major league leader by a Mexican-born player in homers, RBIs, hits (1,880), doubles (349) and runs scored (900).
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvQ7iMXwQH4nORA_GPbd_54RvLYF?slug=ap-padres-castilla&prov=ap&type=lgns
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Third baseman Vinny Castilla was released by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, an unpopular move in the clubhouse and one that likely will hasten the NL West leaders' search for a replacement before the trading deadline.
"That's still our priority No. 1," general manager Kevin Towers said.
Although his defense was solid, the 39-year-old Castilla was hitting just .232 with four homers and 23 RBIs.
Castilla was waived for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release in order to open a roster spot for right-hander Mike Thompson, who started Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Thompson made a spot start in place of Chris Young, who has a stress reaction in his right foot.
"It doesn't get more difficult than that, the respect you have for Vinny," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to manage Vinny. That part of the game is always the hardest part. Vinny's a true professional and he understood."
Castilla, one of the Colorado Rockies' big hitters in the 1990s, had seen his on-base percentage dip to .260.
"When you have a third baseman as steady as Vinny, sure, it's a great thing to have," Bochy added. "But at the same time, you do need offensive production."
Castilla was well-liked in the clubhouse, and worked with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez when he struggled earlier in the season.
Gonzalez, in his first full big league season, has enjoyed a lot of success lately. He's tied with Atlanta's Chipper Jones for the NL lead with seven homers this month, and ranks second in the majors with 21 RBIs in July.
"I don't like it, obviously," right fielder Brian Giles said. "I think he's a good player, he's good for the clubhouse. It's kind of frustrating for the guys in here because everybody looked up to him as a leader. It's tough.
"Obviously you think there's something that's going to happen if they're going to let him go," Giles said. "But like I said, what he meant to our team and the guys in here, his personality, he brought a lot to this team."
Castilla hit 35 homers as recently as 2004, his second stint with Colorado. One of the original Blake Street Bombers playing at mile-high Coors Field, he hit 40, 40 and 46 homers from 1996-98.
Mark Bellhorn started at third on Wednesday, and Geoff Blum has also played the position.
"At least temporarily we will get more offense from the combination of Bellhorn and Blum," Towers said.
Bellhorn is hitting .206 with seven homers and 23 RBIs, but has 64 strikeouts. Blum is hitting .257 with one homer and 12 RBIs. Bellhorn has an on-base percentage of .298 and Blum, .288.
Castilla was acquired from the Washington Nationals for right-hander Brian Lawrence on Nov. 3.
Bochy didn't know if Castilla planned to retire. Castilla was informed of the move Tuesday night, and wasn't in the clubhouse Wednesday.
He is a career .276 hitter, with 319 homers and 1,101 RBIs in parts of 16 seasons. He also played for Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Houston.
He is the all-time major league leader by a Mexican-born player in homers, RBIs, hits (1,880), doubles (349) and runs scored (900).