Giants Claim Jose Castillo
According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Giants claimed infielder Jose Castillo off waivers and the Marlins didn't pull him back. I believe the Marlins can now either work out a trade with the Giants or just let them have him and his $650K salary. One of today's writers, Alejandro, noted that Castillo is already on the Giants' 40-man roster on MLB.com.
Pure speculation, but this may be a signal that the Giants are done considering trade options such as Wes Helms, Brandon Inge, and Joe Crede. Giving up something decent for Inge or Crede never made sense for this team anyway. Castillo probably won't do much for the Giants, but at least he doesn't cost anything.
Well at least they are trying to make it seem like they intent to hold onto their pitching. Which for their sake is a good thing.
Posted by: AirmanSD | March 22, 2008 at 04:29 PM
If he was claimed and the Marlins havent pulled him back them there is no trade and is instead a straight waiver claim.
If he was pulled back, then SF and the Marlins could work out a deal
Posted by: laxtonto | March 22, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I actually like this move. He's not very good, but he's free in terms of talent and cheap in terms of dollars -- exactly the two qualities that should be #1 and #2 on the Giants' list for candidates at this position.
If Aurilia doesn't work out at 3B, or the Ortmeier experiment at 1B fails, Castillo provides convenient replacement-level play. If Vizquel never makes it back or Bocock is awful (and Aurilia can still play SS), or if Durham falls apart and/or Frandsen proves to be useless, Castillo fills the hole, and you know what to expect.
Good signing by Sabean, and smart (and unexpected) not to overpay for Crede.
Posted by: asm | March 22, 2008 at 04:43 PM
If this takes any playing time away from Frandsen, or even more so, Velez, I'm against it. If it just means he'll play SS for a while instead of Brian Bocock, maybe that's a good thing.
Sabean doesn't seem to be comfortable unless he has an under-.300 OBP guy around. Maybe he misses Pedro. I think OBP is hyped to the point of being overrated, but Castillo's stats are just ugly.
This year should serve one purpose for the Giants: audition as many of the young guys as much as possible, including Velez, Frandsen, Ortmeier, Schierholz, Lewis, and Davis. If we're going to be bad anyway, we might as well at least see if we have a couple of cheap break-out guys!
Posted by: jaywest05 | March 22, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Someone has Sabean's ear these days. He resisted the temptation (for now) to trade for an overpriced, hurt player to fill a gap.
Posted by: studio179 | March 22, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Jaywest: It would not hurt my feelings if Velez as went down for a couple/few months learn how to play 2nd, (or 3rd but pick one) on a day to day bases. He is fast and a threat offensively but his defenses is, shall we say, raw. It not like the Giants have anyone that should be able to block him coming back up. And if he just pinch runs & hits 3-4 times a week that does not help us much at this stage.
Posted by: daveinexile | March 22, 2008 at 06:51 PM
"
Someone has Sabean's ear these days. He resisted the temptation (for now) to trade for an overpriced, hurt player to fill a gap.
Posted by: studio179 | March 22, 2008 at 05:14 PM"
Actually, I think it's more like Barry Bonds DOESN'T have his ear anymore.
Posted by: maximumpotential | March 22, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I thought teams were prohibited from trading a player they signed as a free agent until a certain date (sometime in June, if I recall). I believe the Marlins signed Castillo as a free agent over the winter. If this is the case, why are they able to trade him?
Posted by: cowsarecool220 | March 22, 2008 at 07:45 PM
it was waivers, not a trade
Posted by: bobbymcnally | March 22, 2008 at 08:18 PM
The people praising this move aren't realizing that in the process this cuts down playing time for Eugenio Velez who is the more talented player.
Yes, claiming Castillo instead of trading for Crede or Inge was a good thing. Blocking Velez who is a potentially more dynamic player isn't a positive.
Posted by: TNS | March 22, 2008 at 08:27 PM
If Castillo was out of options (not sure if he was) then he could not be pulled back from waivers because he would have been placed on irrevocable outright waivers, which is different from waivers that take place after August 1st, which are revocable major league waivers.
Posted by: spaceantelope | March 22, 2008 at 09:08 PM
This works out pretty well, although I would have rather seen Steve Kline go to the Phillies for Wes Helms which would have freed up at least one bullpen spot.
Yes this does hurt Velez a bit, but his defense is below average at best right now, the guy needs some seasoning fielding at SS or 3B. I wouldn't even mind seeing him start the year at AAA to get better experience.
Posted by: NW | March 22, 2008 at 09:31 PM
has nothing to do with this but Miguel Cabrera just signed 153.3 mil extension. I'm a little disappointed I read it on espn.com and not here but I understand it's the weekend.
Posted by: John Difford | March 22, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Tigers got a pretty good deal. I'm very surprised he didn't eclipse $20m/year.
Posted by: bjsguess | March 22, 2008 at 11:37 PM
heres my beef with this pick up, he may be cheap but what the heck do we need with another infielder who cant hit and has no power! we have oh lets see... to darn many! but i guess he is almost free. maybe he has a break out season and we trade him in july for someone who is worth a darn.
Posted by: jbowl | March 23, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Eh. He can't hit, his defense is below-average.. but he'll hit better than Bocock, can handle SS better than Velez and is as noted essentially free.
Posted by: wcw | March 23, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Booby, I know it was waivers and not a trade. The hidden point in my post was Sabean did not make a trade for Crede (or someone else yet) who has to prove he is still not hurt. I was trying to be kind.
Maximum, that very well could be the reason.
Posted by: studio179 | March 23, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I meany Bobby...not trying to be rude or funny. Legit mistake.
Posted by: studio179 | March 23, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Jbowl he is filler and not signed for 3 years at 16-20 mil. That’s why I am happy about this move. It like the old doctors maxim, “ First, do no harm.”
Why do the Giants need filler? Frendsen might start the season on the DL with Omar. Durham has sat a couple games in a row (could be just end of spring training rest routine or could be a bit more), so that leaves Ort, Aurilia, & Velez as healthy. Bocock has really nice glove but he really should not be up on the Big Club at this point.
Final points on Velez. I have yet to see anything that tells me the front office would actually give him a regular playing time if he sticks on the 25. He needs it. He missed a part of last season on the defense side of the ball with a wrist injury. This move would allow the club to start his service clock later in the season ,if they want, as well which could help the club post ‘09 . Given both facts its not a bad move for the team to give its self the option to send him down a bit. That said I do enjoy watching him play and I would rather they take a little longer now and see him more regularly later then watch him get a start every 2 weeks for 2-3 seasons as has been the norm in these parts.
Posted by: daveinexile | March 23, 2008 at 11:21 AM
daveinexile i hear ya, but velez is not getting any younger, hes like 26 already. i would have just liked to see a move for something a little more worthwhile than this guy. and since we are going to be horrible anyway why not just give velez a chance and have fun watching him on offense!
Posted by: jbowl | March 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM
um good move I guess, I mean he's not going to start for any other team in MLB, but he'll have a chance here. Hopefully still going after Kotchman or Crede though.
Posted by: Giant Deric | March 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM
um good move I guess, I mean he's not going to start for any other team in MLB, but he'll have a chance here. Hopefully still going after Kotchman or Crede though.
Posted by: Giant Deric | March 23, 2008 at 02:55 PM