 11/06/2003 4:50 PM ET
Giants re-sign catcher Castillo
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have re-signed journeyman catcher Alberto Castillo to a one-year contract, effectively eliminating a return in 2004 for 18-year veteran Benito Santiago.
Third-year catcher Yorvit Torrealba is expected to be the starter next season after hitting .260 with 29 RBIs and four homers over 66 games this year.
Santiago earned $1.6 million last season, and with San Francisco in a cost-cutting mode and Benito's defensive skills deteriorating, the team chose to go with the younger players. Torrealba hit .286 with runners in scoring position last season and .267 after the All-Star break.
Castillo, an 11-year Major League veteran, appeared in 11 games for the National League champions in 2003, filling in when Santiago was on the disabled list with an injured pinkie finger in July. While the 33-year-old player hit .188 -- his career average is .224 in the NL -- Castillo nevertheless provided excellent defensive play.
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