Just another bum

The position of designated fielder should have been invented for Jose Castillo to play. Castillo signed as an amateur free agent with the Pirates in 1997, and played on the big league club from 2004-2007. He had a .256 average with 33 HRs and 181 RBIs.

What made you say "oh my freak" when looking at this guy was he struck out 297 times with the Pirates. At times, Castillo looked more like a professional golfer than a Major league baseball player, striking out numerous times by swinging at pitches in the dirt.

Some more positive Pirate fans may remember Castillo for the double plays he turned with shortstop Jack Wilson, but we remember him as a bum because in his slumps, he wouldn't have been able to hit his way out of a paper bag.

Castillo made $2.875 million total in four years with Pittsburgh. Jose Castillo signed with the Marlins after being cut by the Pirates. He was then claimed off waivers by the Giants, put on waivers by the Giants, claimed by the Astros, released by the Astros, and finally signed with the Nationals. Jose Castillo, what an overpaid bum.

FACT: Jose Castillo made $9,680 per strikeout as a Pirate