Castilla returning to Rockies

DENVER - Third baseman Vinny Castilla agreed Wednesday to a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, reuniting him with the team he starred for in the 1990s.<br> <br> Castilla, who spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Braves, played on Colorado&#39;s expansion team in 1993 and was one of the cornerstones of its ``Blake Street Bombers&#39;&#39; days.<br> <br> A two-time All-Star in Colorado, Castilla hit .309 with 32 homers and 90 RBIs in 1995 the Rockies&#39; 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.<br> <br> His best season was 1998, when he hit .319 with 46 homers and 144 RBIs.<br> <br> Castilla played seven seasons in Denver before being sent to Tampa Bay in a four-team deal that included Jeff Cirillo. In Atlanta, he hit .277 with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs last season.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Castilla, 36, still lives in Denver and said that was a factor in deciding to sign with the Rockies.<br> <br> ``It was very important for me and my family,&#39;&#39; he said. ``To be able to see my kids more and be back home, it&#39;s awesome.<br> <br> ``I&#39;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.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> He said if he was able to play in 150 to 155 games next season, ``I think I can hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs.,&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Oaxaca, Mexico, native 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.<br> <br> ``Vinny has the opportunity to put an exclamation mark on the back of a very good major league career,&#39;&#39; Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.<br> <br> ``He brings defensive stability to the (third base) 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.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Rockies chairman Charlie Monfort said Castilla has kept himself in good shape and loves Denver.<br> <br> ``What we&#39;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,&#39;&#39; he said. ``Vinny&#39;s definitely one of those people.&#39;&#39;

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