Jose Castillo

What to do with the Pirates' disgruntled 2b/3b/SS/OF? He has been mashing the ball since filling in for Jose Bautista during Sunday's game, prompting Boss Tracy to start Castillo at short for only the third time in the bigs, first of 2007. Castillo responded in a manner those familiar with him: 2-4 with a pair of ribs and a ball thrown into the stands behind first base. He has raised his batting average 82 points to .264 since Jeff Cox foolishly decided to send Bautista home on a shallow fly to Jeff Francoeur.

No truth to the rumor Castillo was seen pumping his fist after this happened.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Castillo has asked for a trade. Reportedly the Bucs tried to deal him during the offseason, but could find no takers, no surprise after his disappointing 2006. If Littlefield is going to deal him, now would appear to be the time. But should he?

I say no. Castillo can be an important piece of this team. He has shown enough flashes that if he is producing, he deserves to receive some spot starts, especially since he can play five positions with steady enough defense. In fact, here is the lineup I'd like to see the Pirates run out tonight against Micah Owings and the D-Backs.

1 Sanchez 2b
2 Bautista 3b
3 Bay LF
4 LaRoche 1b
5 Nady CF
6 Doumit C
7 Castillo RF
8 Wilson SS
9 Gorzelanny P

I'm a big fan of playing the hot hands, and Castillo and Doumit are just that. Some is sacrified defensively without Duffy in center field, but his bat has been so atrocious of late that his bench spot is well-earned. At the least, Jim, drop him in the order. Please? And what is with Tracy's claims that putting Sanchez at third would be "unfair" to Freddy? This guy is paid millions to play a game that people pay ridiculous amounts just to watch. He played one of the best hot corners in the league last year while taking the batting crown. A night at third would cause him to slump again? I'm not buying it. Ryan Doumit seems to be doing just fine shuffling between three positions. With Bautista back in the lineup, Sanchez's position is more of a moot point, although I would have been more comfortable with him at short and Castillo at second last night. Having versatility in your players is a blessing, and it is mind-boggling that Tracy would try to eliminate this part of Sanchez's game. At the very least, Sanchez and Castillo being able to play short should save us from seeing Don Kelly starting when ol' Jack Smack needs a day off. You know, at least until we trade Grabow, Gorzelanny, and Jack to the Yankees for A-Rod.