9-Lives: 31-005 – Castillo Signs in Texas, Fans March in Ohi

[RonCo]

An entire cavalcade of fans poured into the ticket office at Chavez Memorial Park today to protest the loss of catcher Juan Castillo to the San Antonio Outlaws.

“We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore,” said Ed Iot, a local pan handler and part-time bench weight. “Castillo was the heart and soul of the team, and the front office fat-cats just let him go like that!”

Iot’s claims do seem suspect, but admittedly all fifteen of the fans who marched had similar comments. This despite the fact that Castillo was 35, made $9M last year for a shopping 2.7 WAR, and was rumored to have lost a bit of bat speed by the dog-days.

“We were very happy to have Juan with our club for the one year we had him here,” said GM Ron Collins. “He was certainly a leader and a great guy in the clubhouse, but to be honest we expected a little more on the field for $9M. That said, our fans are very important to us, so our ears are wide open.” Castillo's .780 OPS was nearly his career worst.

Right now, it appears as if the club will go with young Nate Woods behind the plate again, and perhaps a reappearance of Jose Pena.

“Maybe Collins's ears, are open,” quipped another fan, “his pocketbook is sewed up tight as my grand-dad’s coffin.”

[recte44]

Ugh. Sounds like you could use Joe Castle!

[bschr682]

Popo!

[aaronweiner]

Fun fact as Castillo attempts to build on his career numbers and Ron wonders why Castillo is so damn popular: by most metrics, Castillo is in the top 20 catchers in the history of the BBA.

[HoosierVic]

Part-time bench weight. Heh!