There’s still a lot of uncertainty about where Cuban outfielder/second baseman Rusney Castillo will sign, even amongst Major League teams. An executive who has been scouting Castillo for the last month tells Peter Gammons (Twitter link) that “no one knows who’s getting him or which teams will jump in unexpectedly.” Following yesterday’s updates, here’s the latest on the Castillo sweepstakes…
- The Red Sox and Tigers are the front-runners to land Castillo, two sources have told ESPN Boston’s Gordon Edes. A decision is expected “no later than the weekend,” according to Edes.
Earlier Updates
- Castillo privately worked out for the Reds and Mariners within the past week, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports. The late date of these workouts was due to scheduling, Rosenthal notes, and shouldn’t be thought of as a hint that Castillo is favoring either of these two clubs. Six other teams (the Cubs, Giants, Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers and Yankees) have now had Castillo in for a private workout, Rosenthal lists.
- The Red Sox are one of the three teams “most actively involved” for Castillo’s services, Rosenthal reports. Presumably the other two teams are the Tigers and Giants, as Rosenthal cited two days ago.
- “There’s definitely a growing sense” the Cubs will be outbid for Castillo’s services, a source tells CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney. Another source predicts Castillo will receive a contract “much closer” to $68MM (what Jose Abreu received from the White Sox) than $42MM (what Yasiel Puig received from the Dodgers).
- MLive.com’s Chris Iott warns that a number of hurdles will have to be jumped for Castillo to be able to contribute to a team in September. Fans also might want to temper their expectations for Castillo, as while he is expected to be ready for the majors immediately, Iott notes that it would be hard for a contender like the Tigers to just hand Castillo a starting job down the stretch in a pennant race.
Sure, Chris Iott, it would definitely be hard to take playing time away from Torii “Negative WAR” Hunter.
Iott’s article is great. It goes into detail about all of the hurdles… fantastic stuff coming from a sports writer.
Most logical path is that he signs, gets a Michigan Congressman/woman or Senator to help him speed up the paperwork and gets put on the 40 man roster before 9/1. He then can get swapped out for a DL player for the playoffs.
Key point: He does NOT need to play a major league game.
Perhaps his speed is enough for him to make the playoff roster as a pinch runner.
That being stated:
Going after someone like Granderson would probably make more of a difference for the Tigers this year.
Yeah, but then you’re stuck paying him $45M over the next three seasons. Would prefer a rental.
Brent Lillibridge could help more for about $60,000,000 less.
Thats hilarious. A $60 million pinch runner? Can he manage the Gatorade container as well?
Pinch runner in the playoffs THIS YEAR.
Effective player starting NEXT YEAR.
Not uncommon for playoff teams to do that.
Where is Detroit getting the money to pay Granderson for the next three years?
Where are the Tigers getting the money as everything stands now? They already have $97M committed to 6 players next season before arb and remember they still have to figure out Price’s pay. Assuming around $10M a year for Castillo and $20M for Price that’s already $35M short of this season’s opening day payroll on just 8 players.
Why is everyone so worried about the Tigers payroll?
They have the #1 share of market for ALL teams on the TV side.
They sell 3MM tickets per year on the Stadium side.
Plus… Pizza Pizza.
Scherzer money. He rejected $175MM. Enough to afford 2-3 players per year for 6 years.
Thought the Reds made sense all along with their need for a long term left field solution (and no one close in the minors) combined with their history of signing Cuban players.
Make a decision already, Rusney.
So whatever contact he signs, will 2014 count as the first year? For example, he signs a five year contract, might play 10-20 games (at most) this year, then has four years left on it?
Probably pro rate it somehow
If the Red Sox beat out my Tigers, hopefully they can at least be good sports and send us Nava on the cheap.
who else do you want?
Your entire bullpen
There are two or three solid guys out there. I’d pass on Mujica and Breslow if I were you. And probably Tazawa too at this point.
At this point, I’d take anything over Nathan, Coke, and what I have seen lately from Soria and Chamberlain
Well they rebuilt your bullpen for the most part. Too bad about Nathan. Sometimes you just draw a bad hand. At least you have good starters. Not many post-season probables have starting rotations as good.
Yeah we had another tough break on Soria getting hurt as well. He was lights out before the trade. And according to a few reports, we were very close to acquiring Andrew Miller but at the last minute the O’s offered Rodriguez, who’s a better pitcher than anyone we could have offered sans Smyly. The guy I am really bummed about is on the Pirates though, Andy Oliver. He’s been dominating at Triple-A for them as a reliever ever since we released him at the beginning of the season. He was a top prospect for us in the seasons prior.
I agree though, if healthy, I still think our starting pitching can carry us, though last night’s David Price gem made me begin to worry. I think our offense is just cold, and maybe it will get hot at the right time. Who knows? It’s baseball.
That’s true but have you seen Verlander’s world series record?
He has pitched in three World Series games, and two of them came in 2006 when he was a 23 year old rookie. Hardly gives you a track record to go off of.
That’s the thing. They’re stacked enough they can make him their number 4 in the World Series if they want to. Of course they have to get there first, which is probably going to require another bat and a bullpen piece. And it doesn’t look like Castillo will be eligible, even if they sign him.
Red Sox and Tigers who woulda thunk it….
Where ever would Castillo play in that vaunted Sawx outfield of Nava, Bradley & Betts?
Bradley was sent down. He will be fighting in spring training to be on the opening day squad next year. Cespedes and Castillo (if they get him) would be locks. Then they have Bradley, Betts, Nava and Craig. If they are able to sign Castillo I have to believe they will be trading some of those outfielders (possibly in a Hamels deal?). Although Amaro’s demands are a rather crazy so who knows. Resign Lester and trading for Hamels would give them a nice 1-2 with some of the young guys (and Buchholz) filling out the rest of the rotation. I anticipate an interesting off season for the Sox.
Go all in Cherrington!!!
As I Tigers fan, I would prefer a reasonable trade for Nava to be a platoon player.
Nava would make more difference in 2014. As for 2015, there is less chance of an overpay when there are lots of free agents to choose from.
Colby Rasmus and his .288 OBP make up the best centerfielder on the market. Castillo has to be a priority.
You don’t think Daniel Fields can take over CF next year? /s
I’m all in on the Tigers getting Castillo. For this season, he cannot be worse than what you have. In 2015, you replace Torii with one of the upcoming FA (I vote Melky) and sit back and see what you have in Castillo. I’d keep J.D. Martinez in left field and try to work Rajai Davis in against LHP whenever I can.