Castilla returns to Rockies with one-year deal

DENVER (AP) -- Third baseman Vinny Castilla agreed on Wednesday to a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, putting him back in the place where he once starred.

Castilla, one of the franchise's most popular players, played on Colorado's expansion team in 1993 and was one of the cornerstones of its "Blake Street Bombers" days.

"I'm very excited and happy to be back with the Rockies, the organization that gave me my first shot as an everyday player. I was born as a player here. To be able to finish here would be a great thing," he said.

A two-time All-Star in Colorado, Castilla hit .309 with 32 homers and 90 RBIs in 1995 -- the Rockies' lone playoff season. He was one of the most productive players in baseball from 1995-99, averaging 38 homers and 112 RBIs and hitting .302.

His best season was 1998, when he hit .319 with 46 homers and 144 RBIs.

Castilla played seven seasons in Denver before being sent to Tampa Bay in a four-team deal that included Jeff Cirillo. He spent the past two years in Atlanta, where he hit .277 with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs last season.

Castilla became a free agent Sunday night after the Braves declined to offer him arbitration. His contract with Colorado includes a mutual option for 2005.

Castilla, 36, still lives in Denver and said that was a factor in deciding to sign with the Rockies.

"It was very important for me and my family," he said. "To be able to see my kids more and be back home, it's awesome.

He intends to remain productive in 2004.

"If I'm able to play 150 to 155 games, I think I can hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs," Castilla said.

Castilla has a .281 career average and leads all Mexican-born players in numerous offensive categories, including homers (268), RBIs (881), extra-base hits and total bases.

"Vinny has the opportunity to put an exclamation mark on the back of a very good major league career," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

"He brings defensive stability to the position. Anything he gloves, he puts away. Offensively, he brings a run-producing bat. He gives us a viable bat behind Larry Walker in the lineup."

Rockies chairman Charlie Monfort said Castilla has kept himself in good shape and loves Denver.

"What we're trying to build on as an organization is somebody who really enjoys wearing the Rockies on the front [of the uniform] and not so much the name on the back," he said. "Vinny's definitely one of those people."