Castilla, Guzman to Expos

The Expos made their first big splash since announcing their move to Washington, agreeing Tuesday to a $6.2-million, two-year contract with third baseman Vinny Castilla and a $16.8-million, four-year contract with shortstop Cristian Guzman.

Castilla, 37, hit .271 with 35 homers and an NL-leading 131 runs batted in last season for Colorado. Guzman, a 26-year-old switch-hitter, batted .274 for Minnesota last season with eight homers, 46 RBIs and 10 steals, and he led AL shortstops with a .983 fielding percentage.

“The nice thing about this is that two big holes on the left side of the infield are filled,” Manager Frank Robinson said.

“It was nice to go out and fill those holes in a short period of time with quality players.”

The signings were the first major moves by Jim Bowden, hired as general manager Nov. 2. Bowden says he hasn’t been told how much money he can spend -- the commissioner’s office is operating the team until it is sold.

“We do not have a budget, but we’re trying to send this franchise in the right direction,” Bowden said. “We couldn’t wait to make these moves. We wanted to make sure we had a shortstop with his prime years ahead of him.”

Castilla’s signing signals that the Expos have given up on keeping their sole marquee free agent, third baseman Tony Batista, who hit 32 home runs with 110 RBIs last season.

Baseball owners announced the Expos’ move Sept. 29 and are set to approve the relocation Thursday.

The Expos are expected to be renamed by the commissioner’s office before the end of the year.

From Associated Press

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Although the agent for Carl Pavano has engaged in more detailed discussions with several other teams to date, the Angels might be a good fit considering they possess many of the qualities sought by the free-agent pitcher.

Scott Shapiro, Pavano’s agent, said the right-hander was looking for an organization committed to winning that featured a top-notch pitching coach, veteran teammates and first-rate facilities.

The Angels, coming off their first division title since 1986, would appear to satisfy each of those requirements: Owner Arte Moreno spent $146 million last winter to upgrade the roster; pitching coach Bud Black is highly regarded; the rotation includes veteran Bartolo Colon, a possible mentor; and the Angels play in state-of-the-art facilities.

Pavano, who last season went 18-8 with a 3.00 earned-run average, rejected a three-year, $21-million offer to stay with the Florida Marlins.

Shapiro said the Angels’ Bill Stoneman was among a dozen general managers who have inquired about Pavano; the agent said he had engaged in more in-depth discussions with Boston, Baltimore, the New York Yankees and Detroit.

-- Ben Bolch

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Pedro Martinez met with Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner at New York’s spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.

Martinez was accompanied by his agents, Fernando Cuza and Pat Rooney.

“We had a good meeting,” Steinbrenner said in a statement, without elaborating.

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Right-hander Cory Lidle returned to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a $6.3-million, two-year contract.

Lidle, 32, was 5-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts with the Phillies after he was acquired from Cincinnati in August.