Remember Rusney Castillo? Signed to a seven-year, $72.5MM contract in August 2014, the Cuban outfielder had a rough season in the majors with the Red Sox the next year and has barely appeared in the majors since. The Red Sox have minimized their luxury-tax bill by keeping Castillo in the minors, and he’s likely to stay with Triple-A Pawtucket this season, but he’ll be a free agent thereafter. The 32-year-old discussed his status with Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald, saying: “My goal remains the same: I want to make it to the big leagues. And if given the opportunity, give 100% to Boston. That’s the goal, to get up there.” As Mastrodonato notes, there’s at least an outside chance Castillo will return to Boston late in the season if the team’s well under the tax threshold by then (he’s due a $14.3MM salary, so it could be a tall order to fit him in). Castillo will first have to impress in Pawtucket for that to happen, though. He wasn’t great at the highest level of the minors in 2019, when he hit .278/.321/.448 with 17 home runs in 493 plate appearances.
- Sticking with the Red Sox, ace Chris Sale has been on the mend from 2019 elbow problems and a recent bout of pneumonia, but he’s recovering well. Sale’s “progressing quickly and could begin to face live hitters soon,” Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com writes. However, it’s not clear whether Sale will be ready for the start of the season. The 30-year-old had a stunning amount of difficulty preventing runs in 2019, when his ERA ballooned from 2.11 the prior season to a career-worst 4.40, but most of his other numbers looked fine. Sale notched a 3.39 FIP/2.93 xFIP with 13.32 K/9 and 2.26 BB/9, suggesting he’s still a front-of-the-rotation talent.
- Indians closer Brad Hand turned in excellent overall production yet again in 2019, but his effectiveness waned to a worrisome degree from late June through the end of the season. That was thanks in part to injuries that limited him to 57 1/3 innings – his fewest in more than a half-decade. Hand dealt with left arm fatigue that kept him out of action for a large portion of September, and he ended the year with his worst average fastball velocity (92.9 mph, compared to 94.1 in 2018) since 2012. “For whatever reason this tired arm affected my arm slot and pitches,” Hand told Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com, adding, “This year I’ll probably take a few more steps and stay ahead of it.” Manager Terry Francona’s hopeful that Hand will build up his velocity slowly this spring, as opposed to maxing out before the season starts. This is the last guaranteed year on Hand’s contract, but if he continues to hold his own, it’s hard to believe the Indians (or, if they trade him, another team) won’t exercise his $10MM club option for 2021.
- Angels manager Joe Maddon will sit down with first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols nearer to the season to discuss his 2020 role, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer appeared in 131 games last season, but it went down as the third straight campaign in which he logged below-replacement-level numbers. Pujols batted .244/.305/.430 with 23 homers and minus-0.2 fWAR over 545 plate appearances. The majority of his work came at first, though he may have to battle Tommy La Stella for reps at the position this season. And Pujols probably won’t get much time at DH because of the presence of Shohei Ohtani.
I’ll never forgive them allowing the Brockstar to leave. He was one of the special players they have on n off field. Who cares about Castillo?
Hilarious that Pujols is owed $59 million over the next two years and then even more for a personal services deal after that.
Carlos Correa: Did someone say “personal services?”
We will be saying similar things about Manny Machado and Bryce Harper in eight years or so.
Or sooner. Perhaps much sooner.
Maddon: “Listen albert, you were a negative for us on the field last year. I am not here to take your money but we are gonna give people that offer value a chance.”
Albert: “But I am the machine.”
Maddon: “You WERE the machine, now your just outdated but thats okay we have a place on the bench for you.”
Albert is a joke. Retire already you slug!
He’s a legend…problem is he’s probably actually 47 years old
Yep. He was at least 25yo when he hit the big leagues. He was already in the country in 2000 when other Latin payers were getting caught lying about their ages on visas and passports after 9/11. I was 33 at the time and Pujols looked older than me…
Mcdusty49 I’ve met him on several occasions and he’s at least 52
As far as I’m concerned, Albert Pujols can play for as long as he wants.
Albert Pujols is my hero! His charity work and impact to world of special needs adults is immeasurable! Shame on you for calling him a joke, the only joke here is you – internet loser! Pujols forever!
The Angels should be teaching Ohtani to play 1B or the OF so he can actually be a “two-way” player, instead of a pitcher that can hit.
Pujols should not be utilized in the field and if left to only DH may be able to put up semi decent numbers to finish his career.
In a perfect world, Pujols would retire and become a special advisor or some coaching role. Thaiss/La Stella and whoever else share first base. Ohtani becomes the full time DH. Trout/Upton/Rendon and whoever else rotates in the DH spot when Ohtani is pitching, if they need a rest. Oh and Arte makes the Stripling/Joc trade. But hey, one can dream…
In a perfect world, Arte would be a rational human being. The Pujols deal was the dumbest FA signing in the history of baseball, maybe dumber than trading Babe Ruth.
“dumber than trading Babe Ruth”
Wow… No..
Pujols signing is worse than Baltimore signing Chris Davis???
I dunno. Inking the Hoz was right up there.
You’re a slacker. Miggy has a combined -0.1 bWAR over the past three years, and still has $124M/4 left on his contract. He had a good 2016, with a 4.7 WAR, but he might have a -0- WAR for $210M in his final 7 years.
The Hamilton signing was worse. It was for less money and years, but the production and off field distraction for the Angels specifically was bad.
Miggy might actually rebound yet. Pujols is a known quantity. There’s no hope left Pujols might be able to provide positive value anymore.
Pujols was the best hitter in the game when he signed. Everyone expected the back half of the contract to be upside down. Pujols had a couple of 4 War and 3+ War seasons which is good for most players but we are talking about Albert Freaking Pujols who was accustomed to 7 and 8 war seasons in St Louis. Pujols has made his money but the Angels also made their money from Pujols. Between Trout, Ohtani, and Pujols, the Angels have had some of the more marketable players. They play in a city of 350k and draw 3M per year for a 4th place team, so needless to say the stars keep fans in the seats.
@moody That is a staggeringly ignorant statement.
Pujols has averaged 1.7 WAR over this seasons with the Angels. Chris Davis has “contributed” an average of -0.4 WAR in his 4 seasons of his deal. Their average salary per season was the same.
I thought Ohtani played the OF in Japan
He did. He won’t for us.
@moody, so you are saying getting an extra 75 million per season, for the TV deal, just for signing Pujols was a bad signing? Man I bet you failed Economics in school.
@angelsfan4life where is your proof that signing Pujols got them an extra $75m/yr from their TV deal?
The Angels expected to pay Albert through his age 42 season. Based on his own quotes in several interviews, they already have.
Cards new he was older then he was saying. They let him go because of knowledge of his true age
No they didn’t. They offered nearly the same deal as the Angels. The Angels offered like $6 million more than St Louis and Miami if I remember correctly. It’s strange to think Miami was involved then, but that was the off season they spent a lot on Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and others in order t sell their stadium deal to the city of Miami.
The Cards would only offered a 6 year deal. No one offered 10 or came close to the total years.
kid, cards offered him 10 year $220 mil in desperation.
Cards and Marlins did.
Yeah, I head the Cardinals final offer came fairly close, but Albert was upset with them at that point.
Comical to see people stomping players like Albert & Miggy. Either one of these aging stars could have a superstar year. Reminds me of the bashing that Castellanos was getting prior to signing. After his contract was announced, the naysayers seemed to crawl back into the woodwork. It’s a new season, let them play.
Nope
68tigers84, I’ll defer to you regarding Cabrera after not having seen him play much the last few years. I have seen Pujols play enough here in Southern California to conclude that he’s nearly done.
Albert’s age-37 season OPS three seasons ago was only 40 points higher than the .221/.306/.328 that Willie Horton could manage in his final major-league season with the Mariners (1980).
Yup Pujols is done. It hurts my knees watching him run, or even walk for that matter. That’s affected his defense, and I’m sure it’s affected his hitting, obviously the statistics show that it has.
he may not have great range but he covers first very well.
Horton had 29 Hr, 106 rbi, 5 triples the previous season(age 36). Mariners opted for Richie Ziske in1981, he put up great slash stats. But Horton could have matched his power numbers. Horton may have felt he was done. But I bet Willie was grateful the AL instituted the DH.
Yes, Willie has a very good age-36 season. The DH rule definitely benefitted both Horton and the 1979 Mariners.
Yeah, because despite hitting 23 home runs and driving 101 runs, both of which are very good for someone that’s 37 years old*, he could only muster a pathetic triple slash of .241/.286/.386.
*=He’s probably older than he says he is.
Yeah, because despite hitting 23 home runs and driving 101 runs, both of which are very good for someone that’s 37 years old*, he could only muster a pathetic triple slash of .241/.286/.386.
*=He’s probably older than he says he is.
The jury is in…. He never was the player the Angels hoped for….and the last few years have been tough to watch. He’s incredibly slow. His numbers as a DH are terrible. His total WAR over the last three years is -1.0.
If he is healthy, Albert will start about 90 games at 1B, another 30 or so at DH, and come off the bench against LHP just like last season. He is still a valuable hitter,especially against LHP..
If it means making it back to the playoffs, Albert will take on whatever role that he can best help the team win.
” though he may have to battle Tommy La Stella for reps”
I bet that line has never been said before.
Stella, Stella, Stella.
If you have to battle Tommy La Stella for playing time it just might be time to start hitting the ol’ dusty trail..
Pujols had an .830 OPS against lefties last year. 11 bombs in 181 plate appearances. Now, his numbers against lefty pitching was abysmal in 2017 and 2018, plus he’s an expensive platoon player if that’s how the Angels choose to use him. But I’ll take double digit bombs against left handers from Albert.
Koamalu stated Albert’s numbers with runners on is still quite good. He can still hit 20 bombs playing 130 games, clearly. And Albert is chasing the RBI record. Whether you agree with him continuing his career or not, he has something to play for and continues to stay motivated regardless of money, age or declining production. I think a team like Anaheim would welcome his veteran presence and his desire.
absolutely!
Desperate for a reason Pujols is still worth a spot on the 40 man, aren’t you? lol Cherries appear to be in season.
Pujols will likely only play first 2 games a week. La Stella or Thaiss will play the other games at first. Pujols will DH when Ohtani doesn’t. So that would give 5 games a week played. Which will help keep his legs, a little more stable. My prediction for Pujols this season .246 26 Hr 78 RBI’s
So essentially replacement level – again – for $30 million.
I have great admiration – even as an A’s fan – for Pujols, I’d ask died in the wool Angels fans though – has he provided value for his contract ON THE FIELD – regardless of the number of replica shirts purchased?
&A’sfaninLondonUK, everyone knew the last 4 years, were going to be bad. I actually wanted the Angels to sign Prince Fielder, back then instead of Pujols. People forget the Angels were in the top 10 team in pitching in 2011. But were one of the worst team in hitting with runners in scoring position in 2011. The Angels TV deal was up after the 2012 season, FS1 offered 175 million per season, on the tv deal. After signing Pujols, that got bumped up to 250 million per season. So from a business aspect, the Pujols signing made sense. Now no one knew that Rich Harden and Ervin Santana were going to fall off the cliff in 2012.
Hello angelsfan4life:
Thank you for your response. OK I see your point with regard to Pujols knocking in runners – and he has remained pretty good at doing that to this day. My argument is that whilst he’s been great for business – as you point out rightly – he’s not been that great baseball wise. He might have brought in an extra $75 million in TV revenue but where has that profitability translated into results?
BTW – I thought the 2014 Angels were going to cruise the WS (playing .750 ball from mid June to mid Sept) until the arms & Richard’s knee blew up. A great shame because that was a WS team in my humble opinion…
Pojols’ numbers as a DH have been terrible though.
Sox fans need a reality check on Brock Holt.
Yes. We’re not allowed to like a guy who plays for our favorite team. And we’re really not allowed to like a guy in any disproportionate way than his statistics justify. We’re not allowed to judge character of the players and like a guy because he has good character. We are not allowed to be sad if some player we like is no longer on the team. We must be robots. Who needs Brock Holt anyway. Thanks for the reminder.
… reality check. Holt plays average defence and is exposed at the plate when he plays regularly. It’s the Rich Garces, cult-hero scenario, I get that point and there’s nothing wrong with same. But, to bring a player back due to some outsized worship of an entirely average baseball player is absurd. Holt lasted quite a while on the free agent wire, seems most teams hold a far more realistic view of Holt than the average Sox fan. El Guapo 2.0 – you’re welcome, Hayzee.
You Holt fans are certainly allowed…we’re just tired of hearing it every day about a marginally skilled player who evokes an emotional response from adoring fans each and every time the opportunity arises to bring him up again……seems like a good guy, but as far as indispensable as a ballplayer….not seeing it nor is the rest of the league, or new Boston management obviously…..as said multiple times in multiple posts…..Get over it already!
Angels need to work out a deal with the Cardinals. Maybe bad contract in Fowler and Cecil.
Why Does baseball-reference.com Say Rusney is not a Free Agent till 2026? And he’s Pre-Arb the next two years?
Which is it?
I wonder if Rusney Castillo is the highest paid minor leaguer in the history of the game?!
I feel bad for all the other AAA players scraping by on the peanuts they make while this clown cashes checks amounting to 10mil a season!
As much as you can describe Rusney Castillo as a $70 million clown, what is he supposed to do? It must be pretty disappointing to have your career put on hold by the financial mismanagement of the Red Sox for about 6 years regardless of how much you’re paid. Pay me (AAV) $10 million a season to play in Pawtucket and I’ll do it. I guess you would too.
All you’re really stating here Moneyballer is that the average AAA player is underpaid (yes, I agree with you) and that the machinations of the soft salary cap are broken.
None of which is Rusney Castillo’s fault is it?
You think castillo is complaining about having his career on hold?!! Laughable. He’s not sad at all and if the guy could hit he’d have a career!
Blame MLB not Boston. Every team would have done the same thing as the Sox did. Anyone in the minors when the rules changed should have been grandfathered in. That rule cost him more than it did the Sox. If not for that rule, he likely would have been up for part of 2018 and who knows, he could have been a bench player. A ring could have been his if not for the rule change that suddenly forced the team’s hand.
Pujols’ faith and mentorship to Mike Trout has provided more value than his stats. Many insiders have pointed to Albert’s guidance and family-based approach as large contributors for Trout’s resigning with the Angels.
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I played golf a few years ago with an Angel Stadium groundskeeper and he told me, “make no mistake, that’s Albert’s clubhouse.”
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Although it is frustrating if a runner is on first, his at-bat is almost a guarantee double play…but his leadership and mentorship of players is where his value lies…now more than ever…
And you’re happy paying $30 million a year for that?
I think every baseball fan knew when his 10 year contract was signed, the last couple of years would be ugly (value wise). I think many were surprised how fast his regression happened (myself included).
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So the glass half full view is his contract is a sunk cost and his mentorship value is helping offset his negative WAR. At the time of the signing, he was still one of the biggest names in the sport and helped land the big Fox TV deal. But honestly, no that is still not a $30M overall 2020 value.
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Glass half empty view is his contract is a sunk cost and is an albatross around the Angel organization’s neck. Many would argue that his contract is one of worst in sports; given the length, his production over the length of the contract, and the cost limitations it put on the organization.
Question from a mets fan, is this rusney Castillo guy that bad? Hes fast can play cf has pop decent arm, ok so the obp is a bit low at .321 but not terrible. Why has boston blackballed him is it a $ issue?
He would be a starter if he sticks in cf on a number of clubs
Honestly, I’d tell Pujols he can retire or he’s being released. The Angels owe him absolutely nothing.
Must be nice though to sit.on the bench for almost $30 million this year. I think I could force myself to do it.
IMHO, it’s time to trade Albert. Of course, he’d have to agree and the Angels will have to eat almost all of his salary. But, if some non-contending team will take him for the marquee value, AP can keep on adding to his great career numbers and the Angels can put their best team on the field.