The Red Sox announced after tonight’s game that outfielder Rusney Castillo has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. No corresponding move has been made at this time, though manager John Farrell told reporters, including the Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato (Twitter link), that the club is happy with its outfield depth and won’t necessarily feel the need to replace Castillo with another outfield option.
Players being optioned to Triple-A don’t typically get this type of mention at MLBTR, but it’s also not every day that a player who is owed more than $56MM over the next five seasons is sent to the minor leagues. The move, though, isn’t necessarily a surprise when looking at the manner in which Castillo has been deployed thus far. Boston awarded Brock Holt the everyday nod in left field for the team this season, and with Chris Young serving as a platoon option for Holt, Castillo has essentially been relegated to an extremely well-compensated fifth outfielder. He’s appeared in just one game all season, collecting a mere four plate appearances.
The Sox undoubtedly would prefer that Castillo receive some regular at-bats, and clearly the feeling is that the best place for him to do so at this time is not at the Major League level. The 28-year-old Castillo struggled in limited exposure to big league pitching last season, batting .253/.288/.359 in 289 plate appearances, and a .183/.246/.200 showing in 22 Spring Training games didn’t do him any favors in terms of showing the club that he was ready for a major role in 2016. Castillo did post solid, if unspectacular numbers with Pawtucket last season, batting .282/.337/.385 in 172 PAs. The hope for the Sox will be that he can tap into some of the potential that prompted the former regime to sign him to a seven-year, $72.5MM contract in the first place.
While the entire scenario figures to be privately frustrating for Castillo, he appears to be taking an optimistic approach to the demotion, telling the Herald’s Evan Drellich: “I look at it as an opportunity to play every day and get better. I’m excited at the opportunity to start every day, which is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Castillo’s option marks today’s second notable move involving a player on a largely disappointing contract with the Red Sox. Earlier this afternoon, Boston announced that Pablo Sandoval has been placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. No timetable was given for Sandoval’s return.
Wasn’t Rusney Bawstons Gods gift to the OF according to BigPapi4Ever?
Do we have to keep doing this? Grow up, move on
Hopefully this allows the sox to call up both Vasquez and Smith ! It’ll benefit the pitching staff two fold in having a defensive catcher and another power arm in Smith to help !
The Red Sox are screwed. They have tons of payroll being wasted. Sandoval, Castillo, Porcello, and Allen Craig.
They can afford it. One of those contracts on a completely unproductive player would kill a smaller payroll franchise, but Boston already had all of those contracts and still signed a player to a $200MM contract this off season. They will be fine.
i don’t know about ‘fine’…. money is always a finite resource, and sinking so much of in to players they’re not really using, or not getting much use out of even when they try, could severely hurt them come mid-season when/if they need to make a trade but can’t absorb a big contract to make it happen.
They are already over the luxury tax limit and have no intentions of dipping under this year. Not that it’s a good thing they have so many sunk costs, but Ray Ray is right. They’re fine
Agree.. Being super wealthy should not translate into being reckless with what you have… Every team needs to keep $ in reserve to address opportunity, risk and downstream (2-5 years out) investment
Maybe the Red Sox can convince the Dodgers to ‘buy them out of some ugly contracts’ (Castillo, panda, Ramirez).
The sox have enough talent coming through the system that they cannot have players who block development of the right (young) talent
Why would the Dodgers want any of those 3 ?
They wouldn’t.. I was mocking how they bailed the sox out of the bad contracts with Crawford, Beckett and Gonzales and maybe they might do it again 😉
It is probably only a matter of time before Sandoval is traded to the Padres for Shields.
Castillo? No idea what will become of him. It isn’t looking all that promising.
Have said here for months, there’s absolutely no logic to that trade for San Diego. Sandoval is owed $10MM more than Shields, and while Shields didn’t have a great 2015, he’s still a useful pitcher, whereas Sandoval was arguably the worst player in Major League Baseball last year.
Sandoval’s trade value is nonexistent. Shields for Sandoval is a pipe dream.
But does the new Boston regime care how much more Sandoval is worth if they just want to get rid of him out of town and the Padres want him for whatever reason (i.e. think they can fix him).
Remember: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
You could be entirely right, but organizations do make head scratching moves.
Hey Steve? I just got to jab at u here a bit.. Preller bit on WMB for Hannigan last year, so nothing is totally off the table with him and WMB (to me) had nothing when he was at Pawtucket, the guy hacked (still does) at anything within a foot of home plate.. Hannigan is as good as it gets as a backup catcher.
Not saying *now* that Shields for Sandoval straight up would work, but Boston throw in a ton of cash and it might.. Preller has shown he does not make the wisest of choices already in more moves other than that Hannigan-WMB deal already.. Why not another boner?
Sandoval, a prospect, and cash to the Padres for Kemp would make a little more sense. Even then I wouldn’t like that trade for the Padres unless it was a good prospect. Sandoval is a disgrace and not fit to be on the major league roster of any organization.
you also didn’t mention that Petco makes average pitchers look good and average hitters look bad… so trading for player who struggled offensively in hitter-friendly Fenway probably is not the fix the Padres are looking for right now.
If they’re going to move Shields, it’ll be for prospects…. not burnouts
I don’t know. Sandoval was fat in 2014 and put up a 3.5-Win season in the NL West. His contract is better than Kemp’s, and he’s younger. I don’t see Boston having a lot of use for Kemp however, except as the short half of a DH platoon.
Roadapple, do you really struggle that bad with comprehension?
Sandoval is owed more money. Sandoval has less actual baseball value.
The Red Sox organization aren’t the ones who would shoot down that trade. It’s the Padres. The question is “Would the Padres care how much more Shields is worth?” And yes, they absolutely would. Shields is, by no means, a front line pitcher. As bad as he was last year, his ERA/WHIP/FIP etc all are good enough for him to be a part of about every pitching staff in the majors. As an ace? No. Number two? No. But an innings eater down in the rotation? Absolutely.
Sandoval has zero value. None. Zilch. Shields does. Shields in 2014 was 3.21/3.59/1.18 era/fip/whip. His numbers last year were worst and not what SD paid for, but they were playable.
/rant
Love seeing that trade that will never happen continue to pop up, don’t you Steve?
Completely agree no way shields for Sandoval
Thanks, Ben Cherington……
Not this Shields for Castillo again. Shields>Panda
I’ll assume you mean Sandoval, not Castillo.
Sandoval will take over DH duties after Ortiz is gone, as for Castillo maybe the Braves would give him a shot for a few very minor prospects, I think he just needs a change of scenery , as for Craig , I’m surprised he hasn’t landed with the Brewers or some other awful team yet,
Even if the Red Sox eat *all* of Allen Craig’s salary, the most they’re receiving in return is a PTBNL.
It’s as close as you get to Zero trade value.
I’m pretty sure Hanley will be taking over DH duties actually. Could see Shaw moving to 1B and Holt to 3B in that scenario.
no way Sandoval takes over at DH, chiefly due to the fact that he cant hit a baseball. Sandovals Red Sox career is OVER.
I think I agree, from what I’ve seen this year, he doesn’t belong on a MLB roster. It’s easy to see why Lucchino and Cherington were let go, what a collection of colossal overpaid mistakes. Yikes. Gotta say looks good on Boston though.
We are already struggling with Olivera, do not think Castillo is money we want to take on. Hell most of the cry baby fans want to use up service time of Mallex Smith.
Why is Pablo ppls concern? Last time I checked he’s not a pitcher, and that’s what the red sox need right now. Pablo sitting on bench has zero effect on this team. Their starting pitchers not named price is the major concern on this team.
How about trading Pedroia and moving Betts to second. Castillo does not look that bad to me. I do not see that much in Jackie Bradley. Angels and White Sox need a second baseman and may be willing to take on most of Dustin’s remaining contract.
As far as Sandoval tough love is needed. Can no one get through to him about his weight problem ?
Never in a million years would Boston trade Pedroia. Right or wrong, that’s just not happening. He’s under contract thru 2021 on a very team-friendly deal and is still productive. so he’ll be there until then. Besides Ortiz he’s the face of the franchise. Plus, I think his 10-and-5 rights kick in this season anyway and I have no doubt he would use them.
Pedroia is the team leader after Ortiz. Angels wouldn’t go over the luxury tax, and White Sox played cheap all winter. Neither have prospects or pitching to spare. Why do you see this happening?
If Tulo can be traded, so can Pedrioa. While I don’t think it would happen, there are few players in baseball that are truly untouchable.
I think Pedrioa on this team hurts the Sox more than Sandoval. He’s a always hurt and at this point the sox have a log jam of prospects that can help in the near future, but with his gross, albeit team friendly, long term deal, it’s handcuffed the brass at finding spots for Moncado and/or Devers.
Red Sox are a different team then the Rockies. Pedroia won’t get the same return as Tulo did he’s not THAT kind of player.
However Pedroia healthy is still a pretty darn good 2nd basemen. And is really the captain on this team.
Moncada and Devers are not ready for the bigs yet. And probably won’t be til the earliest next year most likely ’18
White Sox seem fine with having Lawrie play second base. With the way things have gone so far this season, I don’t see them making any moves yet.
And I definitely wouldn’t say the White Sox “played cheap.” They didn’t ridiculously overpay for mediocre players that they didn’t really like, and they kept their extra draft pick. They offered Gordon, the player they actually wanted, more money than the Royals did…
I would love to pencil Pedroia in at second base, but I don’t see it happening unless he comes super cheap (to the point where it’s a no brainer).
Yes, the White Sox played cheap. They don’t have enough depth in their system to trade w/o giving up their top prospects, so FA was the only way they could have acquired what they needed. They needed another quality starter, but were not willing to pay the going rate. They needed an OF, but settled for A-Jax, because he was cheap. It didn’t matter that he would be a 4th OF on most teams. Sale and Abreu, along with Quintana are in their prime now. While I acknowledge they did address some of the teams’ needs (all at lower than market value salaries), what is your explanation for them not acting NOW for all of the teams needs.
“They needed another quality starter, but were not willing to pay the going rate.”
So they were smart enough to not overpay average pitchers? That sounds like a good move to me… And they have 4 quality starters right now (with 3 of them being VERY good), which is more than most teams.
“They needed an OF, but settled for A-Jax, because he was cheap.”
They “settled” for A-Jax because Gordon and Fowler took less money to go back to their former teams. You can’t really blame them for that… They didn’t like the other 2 options enough to spend WAY too much money on them.
I think trading Pedroia would be about the worst move you can make as a GM. I agree on the prospects, but the fans would be outraged as he is a huge favorite in Boston.
Every team makes mistakes, some are bigger than others. Is the Castillo deal less well thought out than the ones for older players who went south, like Bourne, Swisher. Melvin Upton, Lohse? The Yankees have several awful contracts. The Red Sox can burn money here to put a better team on the field. This is a logical move
Man three on the Braves? But I get what you are saying, CLE made bad call on the two, but Upton Junior was on 28 I believe when he signed his contract with ATL.
Melvin Upton was still terrible though. He has decent pop but could never make contact and good speed…but that speed doesn’t do much when the guy can’t get on base.
Oh I agree, was just hinting towards the “older players” comment of it. Yeah one of the worst signings in Braves history. Wren did us well with that move and Uggla combined.
Mike156
I beg to differ…there is a difference.
The players you mentioned had some type of proven track records of performance.
Every contract these days is paying for some level of past performance.
Castillo’s contract is $72 Million dollars for a player that never had a day’s worth of major/minor league experience and may be nothing more than a .250 hitter and 4th outfielder. His supposed skills consisted of a rigged showcase and Cuban league stats that had little to no translation to the skill level required to play Major League Baseball, let alone be an impact player.
True, there are several players that have had significant impacts but the majority of these guys that have been signed to bloated major league contracts without never having played in any level of Major League Baseball seem to be taking advantage of GM’s that spend owners money not theirs, and that we the fans pay for with $15 Beers and $12 Hotdogs.
I understand your point, but I think it’s variable–and these Cuban players are just out there–you don’t have to pay posting fees, you aren’t drafting, etc. Cespedes has been terrific. Abreu has been terrific, Puig, Chapman. No minor league track records, but not bad…
Sandoval may have a huge incentive to be on the DL and the Sox needed him there. If he gets sent to Fort Myers for Extended ST and he goes on a 60 day diet learning how to eat properly with the promise from DD that he will do all in his GM ability to find a new team for him this could be a productive move for the Sox and Pablo.
Castillo is a fine player. Mookie is better all around and JBJ is arguably the best CF’der in the game. Holt is an excellent first half hitter, so I read, and is perhaps one of the most versatile players in the game. They have to find room for Benentendi, Moncada and Devers for the 2nd half of this season if not Opening Day 2017.
I believe since the All-Star break last year, Holt leads MLB in BA-RISP. I could be mistaken but i thought that’s what I read the other day….
The only possible way that those 3 end up in the bigs this year is if this season is as terrible as last season was. And JBJ overall is not a top CFer he’s not even the best on his team.
madmc44
Hey buddie…you’ve been drinking the Bosox Cool Aid.
Since when did Holt, who is a nice player with versatility become the best in the game????
And the JBJ comment….really, he may be on his way but last time I checked he wasn’t batting cleanup. There are a ton of very good defensive CF’ers in the game.
And, I won’t even address the Castillo comment.
He literally said that Holt is “perhaps one of the most versatile players in the game” and didn’t claim he was one of the BEST at any point. Regarding JBJ, he was almost certainly alluding to his defensive acumen, and Castillo is a “fine” player. He’d be a “fine” (read OK/acceptable, not good) CF on many teams. He just doesn’t have a place on the Red Sox.
You tell someone they’re sipping the “Bosox Cool Aid,” when it’s clear you’re sipping anti-Sox Kool Aid and looking for any excuse to bash them.
SaladFingers69
Wow…so sensitive, I guess your a Bosox fan.
Hey, my comment was objective pal, and my under the radar point was that the Red sox are just as guilty of bad deals as everyone else in baseball.
They aren’t immune to making bad deals.
And as for Holt….still sounds the same to me.
If you can’t take the heat…you know what!
Sandoval has never been a good player just an average player who looked good playing on a World Series team in the Giants
“Pablo Sandoval has been placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. No timetable was given for Sandoval’s return.” I’m sure the Red Sox would prefer that he never return and that they could find some deaf, dumb and blind GM to take him off their hands.
How long would it take for Sandoval to lose 50 lbs.? Could he do it in 3 months? At 5′ 11″ and 205 lbs. he would surely be a different player, able to bend down for ground balls, leap 10″ for hard hit line drives and get the bat around on 94-96 mph fastballs. Less a 50 lb. bag of potatoes around his middle Pablo might be worth the $95,000,000 that Ben Cherington initially paid for his services for the next 5 years.
Dave Stewart?
Red Sox have $307,507,571 tied up between Ramirez/Sandoval/Porcello/Craig/Castillo over the next 5 years.
Isn’t that something to be proud of…and we criticize the Dodgers!