D.C. Team Makes Free Agent Splash

Interim General Manager Jim Bowden wasted little time addressing what he had previously noted as weak areas on the recently relocated D.C. baseball team’s roster, signing Colorado Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla and Minnesota Twins shortstop Cristian Guzman. The addition of Castilla fills the Expos’ need for a middle-of-the-order power hitter, while Guzman fills a vacancy at shortstop and offers top-of-the-lineup speed to set the table for sluggers Jose Vidro and Brad Wilkerson.

Castilla, who’s late-career renaissance continued last season with 35 HR and an NL-best 131 RBI at the age of 37. Guzman, who batted .274 with 8 HR, 46 RBI and 10 steals last season, will be a valuable defensive addition as well. He led all American League shortstops last season with a .983 fielding percentage.

The signing of Castilla signals an end to negotiations with free agent third baseman Tony Batista who hit 32 home runs with 110 RBI last season. Bowden had extended an offer to Batista’s agent after assuming the GM position, but Batista was seeking more money than the Expos were willing to spend.

Castilla’s contract is two years in length and worth a reported $6.2 million, while Guzman is signed for four years at a reported $16.8 million.

Bowden, who brought with him a reputation of an aggressive GM from his days in Cincinnati, is likely not finished with his off-season moves. In a conference call interview immediately following his appointment, he alluded to a potential trade that was in the works. Previously this off-season, the team parted ways with pitcher Rocky Biddle. The one-time hot prospect saw time as both a starting and relief pitcher last season and entered the 2004 campaign as the club’s closer, but was replaced during the season. Promising rookie Chad Cordero led the team in saves last season with 14.

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The Washington team has announced that the team will use Ticketmaster as its official ticket broker. Wednesday, fans who had signed up for season ticket information at www.dcbaseball.com received an e-mail giving them a chance to put a deposit of $300 per seat down on season tickets for the entirety of the 2005 season. Partial season ticket plans and single game purchases were not yet available at press time, but could become so as early as today. The Expos, who have yet to be officially renamed, will play at a renovated RFK Stadium until the completion of a proposed new ballpark in Southeast D.C. along the banks of the Anacostia River.

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com