Giants claim infielder Castillo on waivers

Sports Network

The San Francisco Giants claimed infielder Jose Castillo on waivers from the Florida Marlins on Saturday.

Castillo, 27, has played in 465 games in four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound infielder signed as a free agent with Florida in the offseason and hit .275 with five runs, four doubles, a home run and six runs batted in in 16 Grapefruit League games this spring.

Castillo has played 388 games at second base, while logging 34 at third base, 10 at shortstop and one in the outfield.

Last season, Castillo hit .244 with 18 doubles, a triple and 24 RBI in 87 games.

Comment: Jose Castillo has played primarly with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2005-2007. Castillo signed a free agent contract with Florida in December 2007 to now being released this spring without playing a league game with the Marlins. Castillo played primarily second base for the Pirates; although, he did play shortstop, thirdbase and in the outfield at times for Pittsburgh. Castillo has moderate power hitting eleven and fourteen home runs in 2006 and last season respectively, and has hit .256 thus far in his career. It is a bit disconcerting, if this is the best Brian Sabean can do to upgrade this inept offense.

It was reported by Andy Baggarly from the MercuryNews that the Giants are talking with the Angels in a deal in which Casey Kotchman is being offered for Benjie Molina. Perhaps, Sabien has something else in the works? The Joe Crede trade is dead according to many sources. There is apparently fear that he has not recovered fully from the back surgery.

It would be hard to imagine this team being the one that ends the season.

Today, the Giants played a rather crisp and refreshing winning baseball game. Matt Cain was dominating in his scoreless stint.

The Giants have to find a place for Eugenio Velez. He is a player! Today only demonstrated the force he provides when in the line-up. Talkin' Giants Baseball suggests the Giants move Velez to leftfield. He has a strong arm and at AT&T Park the seven position would be the easiest outfield position for him to learn. Velez could then develop into a star. He has the same swagger as Will Clark when he first came to the Giants. Knowing you belong!