David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the New York Mets, is still reimagining his team with a pinstripe theme.
Diego Castillo, an infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Friday. From 2014 to 21 Castillo was a Yankees prospect; in exchange for pitcher Clay Holmes, the Yankees traded him and infielder Hoy Park to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Castillo was in Double-A at the time.
Since then, the Yankees have developed Holmes into a 2022 All-Star and one of the best late-game relievers. Over the course of more than two seasons, Holmes has a 2.50 ERA and 44 saves in 154 2/3 innings with New York.
With 97 major league games under his belt, 26-year-old Castillo has a slash line of.206/.251/.382 with 11 home runs. His versatility as a utility player, particularly up the middle, will help the Mets in the minor leagues. He has experience all over the field, including the outfield corners.
Even though he has struggled in the majors, Castillo flashes on-base skills with a career .346 OBP and 365 strikeouts to 279 walks in eight minor league seasons. In 2023, Castillo recorded a .313/.431/.410 line with three home runs and 72 RBI across 454 at-bats for Arizona’s Pacific Coast League Triple-A team.
Among their offseason moves, the Mets have added Carlos Mendoza (manager), Luis Severino (pitcher) and Harrison Bader (outfielder) — all former Yankees.