The Orioles announced that infielder Diego Castillo has gone unclaimed on waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk. He remains in the organization and seems likely to get a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training.
It’s a resolution to what has likely been a tumultuous few weeks for Castillo. He has changed hands on waivers four times since being designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks just before Christmas. Castillo briefly landed with each of the Mets, Yankees and Phillies. Philadelphia designated him for assignment a week ago to clear room for Kaleb Ort (whom they coincidentally subsequently DFA and traded to Baltimore yesterday). The O’s grabbed Castillo but DFA him themselves on Sunday when they acquired lefty reliever Matt Krook.
Baltimore succeeded in sneaking him through waivers unclaimed and keeping him around in a non-roster capacity. Castillo is clearly of intrigue to a number of teams as a depth option. The Venezuela native has shown strong contact skills in the minors. He owns a .296/.410/.407 batting line over parts of three Triple-A seasons, including a .313/.431/.410 slash for Arizona’s top affiliate a year ago.
That didn’t translate into MLB success during Castillo’s rookie campaign with the Pirates. The righty hitter put up a .206/.251/.382 showing in 96 games with Pittsburgh two seasons ago. He only appeared at the major league level once for Arizona last year. Castillo figures to open the 2024 campaign in Norfolk behind a deep collection of infield talent on the Baltimore 40-man roster.
Bro, this can’t be real
I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell you!
Orioles are the masters of the Waiver Wire game.
Yay!! What team is up next??? Reminds me up when Will Farrell suited up for 9 teams
He went unclaimed. He stays with them
He can still be traded lol
He won’t be traded. He was outrighted off the 40 man and assigned to Norfolk where he’ll serve as infield depth. Highly doubtful he’d be traded at this point since he’s no longer holding a ML roster spot.
A hypothetical. Holliday makes the opening day roster. Somethings gotta give. Sounds like White Sox r hot to trot for Westburg. 2 years of Cease for Jordan and let’s say a Stowers. Enough there to get Cease?
Diego becomes more relevant as does a Maton , Norby and Nevin.
I think the Sox would want more based on reports. Maybe add Povich or another pitcher like Irvin.
Based upon what the white Sox are asking it’d be something like Cowser & Westburg + lower levels.
I’m lower on Cowser than others but that’s a big give.
IMO Cowser is not a sure thing as a CF’er and I’m not certain those K issues won’t hamper his upside in the big leagues. He’s the guy I’d like to use to acquire what we need to win now.
I think there’s others in the system that can step up when an OF’er is needed down the line. I wouldn’t want to deal Westburg right now. I would definitely be trying Norby as the 2nd piece if we’re looking at a controllable starter.
Yes, could be. However teams recognize the strengths and weaknesses of trading partners. While the WS’ Getz may want pitching, he may accept position players to round out a trade with the Orioles. The third piece could be Beavers plus a developmental player, maybe like a Bencosme. Or Haskin with someone with a little more promise, like SP Juan Nunez
I thought Cowser and Westburg plus from the beginning. But I could squint and see Stowers instead of Cowser if the back end is better, say Horvath and Baumeister/Lord.
He sticks in an org where he has no chance to play! He lost the musical chairs game.
Better than working a lot of jobs at his age?
Have you ever heard of injuries?
It looks like Lewin Diaz’s record will hold.
@phenom
Castillo might be done (unless traded) but there are other candidates to make a run at Lewin’s record from last year. Livan Soto might still yet be bounced back and forth with the Angels like a pickleball at a retirement village.
@macgromit angels might just keep him on the roster they need someone to backup neto, he can replace stefanic.
I agree with you Rex. Barren Angels farm = keeping all ya can.
Hope he is at least getting the miles!
Oh he’s got some mileage on him
He finally found his forever home!
Oh this is Big News
He better get a call up! If they win it all it’ll be awesome if he gets a ring.
Bro saw the whole entire world this offseason
Does anyone else anticipate a Scott Boras press conference at any moment? He is going to start pointing fingers and assigning blame pretty soon right? March 1st feels like an unofficial deadline.
What would be the point of it? After all, it’s the owners writing the checks. He’s been unusually quiet about his clients this offseason. Why start now and begin antagonizing potential suitors.
Basically in hopes of gaining some leverage he doesn’t currently have and more importantly saving face in front of clients/potential clients.
They can bail on him at any time and talk to the press. ARod did it when he opted-out and Boras didn’t make any public statements.
I’m not sure how the ARod situation compares to the current “Boras Four”.
Do you have a Scott Boras autograph? I’m just curious.
Did you somehow read this in a way that led you to believe I’m defending Boras?
No, I was just curious about why you would speculate about a Scott Boras press conference in the comment section of a post about a random minor league assignment.
You mentioned Boras conducting a presser in attempt to placate his impatient clients and suitors. Everyone knows what Boras is about. His clients can leave him for another agent at any time if they’re displeased. So far, none of the them has said a word publicly. I fail to see what a press conference accomplishes. Teams already are aware which other teams are in pursuit of his clients.
I think the suggestion was that Boras would hold a press conference in an attempt to manipulate or intimidate owners, not to placate clients. He has held press conferences in the past with similar intent, after all.
Better than cutting grass food stamps
This makes me sad. Castillo DFAs/waiver claims have become a part of life.
He finally gets to know his destination.
Had to be difficult as they play musical chairs with his career. Still young enough to make an impact somewhere as a utility piece.
Rockies claim him next
He passed through waivers, so the O’s keep him.
Well, it appears the Orioles organization won’t be sans Diego after all.