The Mets announced that they have claimed infielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the Diamondbacks. The latter club had designated him assignment two weeks ago when they made their signing of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. official. DFA limbo normally only lasts a week but the clock is paused for the week from Christmas to New Year’s. The Mets’ 40-man roster is up to 39, but it will be full once their deal with Harrison Bader is announced.
Not to be confused with the 29-year-old reliever of the same name who recently signed with the Rangers, this Castillo is a 26-year-old infielder. He was once a Yankees prospect, though that club flipped him to Pittsburgh in the Clay Holmes trade. The Pirates designated him for assignment just over a year ago and traded him to the Diamondbacks.
Between the Bucs and D’Backs, he has 284 major league plate appearances but has hit just .205/.250/.380 in those. He’s fared much better in the minors, including last year. In 556 plate appearances for Arizona’s Triple-A club in 2023, Castillo walked more than he struck out, a 17.4% walk rate compared to a 14.2% strikeout rate. He only hit three home runs but slashed .313/.431/.410 for a wRC+ of 117. He also stole 13 bases and suited up at the three infield positions to the left of first base, as well as left field.
The Mets have been focused on depth this winter, claiming Penn Murfee, Zack Short, Tyler Heineman, Cooper Hummel and now Castillo off waivers in order to bolster their depth in various places. They’ve also given out one-year deals to Bader, Luis Severino, Joey Wendle, Jorge López, Austin Adams and Michael Tonkin.
Castillo still has an option and won’t need to be guaranteed an active roster spot. He can give the club extra depth around the infield, where the Mets will have Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor in regular roles. The third base job is likely up for grabs, with Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and Wendle in the mix for playing time there. Castillo and Short figure to be in depth roles who can fill in at various spots throughout the year as injuries dictate.
I thought they signed Bader.
Not officially yet
When I read this, I was hoping they would also take the other Diego Castillo from the Mariners, and then I realized he was already with the Rangers! Whew!
I thought this was the other Diego too. I didn’t even realize there was a another Diego Castillo.
I’m glad they didn’t take the Diego Castillo who’s the cook at the restaurant around the corner. He makes the best arroz con pollo and plantanos.
I had to re-read this comment like three times, at first I was waiting for the cancel police to jump out and claim some racism just took place and then I realized, wait what would you call a guy who makes Arroz con Pollo and Plantanos in Miami?! Jeff?!? By the way, if it’s that good, I need a reference for when I visit the city!
It would suck if they deleted the comment because of something inappropriate because I saw it and was laughing because I’m talking about a real person who really is good at what he does.
I thought it was a funny add since I don’t want to lose the Diego Castillo at this nice restaurant.
As for when you visit Miami, whatever type of Latin food you’re looking for, I always recommend Mom&Pop restaurants for that home cooking style of the particular dish you’re looking for – whether Cuban, Dominican, Venezuelan, Peruvian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Chilean, etc. etc. etc. It’s just a matter of your choice of Latin food.
My wife and mother-in-law is Peruvian and taught me to cook while I lived in South America with my wife! I love all types of Peruvian food and thought about opening my own food truck! But it’s a reason I thought about living in Miami, so I have more access to that good Latino food. It’s like living in California and getting access to that authentic Mexican food! However, I like Criolla and other South American cuisine even more than I like Mexican dishes. Living in Ohio right now, makes it rough trying to find good homemade Latino cooking, you’re giving me hope for when I go to South Florida though!
Oh, you will get your picking of what you want here. All over Miami-Dade, you can just pick which Mom&Pop and you’ll be pleased…as long as it is run and owned by a family of the specific Latin culture that the restaurant caters to.
Here our only Peruvian restaurant is run by a Mexican family that bought it from the past owners, along with their recipes. There’s all sorts of indications of the mixed culture. As they say, for those who know, they know! Drives me crazy!
I’ve been to Miami a handful of times and I didn’t know there was that many options of Hispanic restaurants, I mostly saw Cuban and Argentinian spots. I love northern nj because you can find any kind of Latin/hispanic restaurant you can think of. If I were to ever move out of state the cuisine here would be the main thing I miss lol
Yawn…another AAAA player for depth.
More dumpster diving, no pitching.
Americans throw out a lot, in fact our future civilization is doomed to be based on dumpster diving. Bag it up good and secure the sharps, your descendents will thank you. Point being, a lot of good things can be found in a dumpster
Former Yankee prospect? Hispanic? Something smells fishy, or maybe like cumin…. This move has Carlos Mendunce’s hands all over it. Dollar Tree David strikes again
Another 200 hitter. Nimmo wants a do over on his FA contract.