When I heard this on the news this morning, I wasn't overly surprised: the Nats traded Vinny Castilla to San Diego for right-handed pitcher Brian Lawrence. Castilla was starting to show his age, especially towards the end of the season, with the injury to his left knee. The addition of Ryan Zimmerman to the lineup in September made an immediate impact at 3B. Anyone could see that Castilla wasn't needed there anymore, especially since Zimmerman could not only play well at 3B, but he could hit well too. Castilla was really struggling with both aspects. It's hard, because at some point, age does become a factor. How do you compete against a 21-year-old?
Zimmerman's potential left the Nationals essentially having to move Castilla, who is 38 but wants to remain a starter, according to his agent, Eric Goldschmidt. "He still thinks he can play every day," Goldschmidt said.
Yeah, Castilla, good luck with that.
I was hoping that Zimmerman would get more playing time next season and it looks like he's certainly going to get it now. Some of the Nat fanatics have dubbed him "Dutch" Zimmerman, and in one case, "Butterstick" Zimmerman. (I'm partial to the latter myself.) He is definitely proving himself worthy of having a nickname; he's done quite well in the Arizona Fall League and I look forward to seeing more of him in the spring.
2 comments:
Football kick off in less than 12 hours! Burp!
Go Marines! oh yeah, Go Navy!
When's the love coming for the 3-0 Wizards? Granted, two of their wins were against crappy teams (Toronto and Orlando) and they had to clamp down on defense at the end to win both, but they had no business beating the Knicks at MSG in Larry Brown's home debut. I love what Eddie Jordan's done with this team.
And since it will be all over tonight's game between the 'Skins and the Eagles: What say you on the topic of TO duking it out with Hugh Douglas? (And winning, from the sounds of it. When was the last time a WR ever kicked the ass of a DE?)
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