The Diamondbacks announced that they have acquired infielder Diego Castillo from the Pirates. Castillo had been designated for assignment by Pittsburgh earlier in the week. In exchange, the Pirates will receive minor league right-hander Scott Randall. The Diamondbacks designated right-hander Taylor Widener for assignment in a corresponding move.
Castillo, 25, was one of two players traded from the Yankees to the Pirates as part of the July 2021 trade that sent Clay Holmes to the Bronx. He was a contact-over-power guy for the beginnings of his professional career, striking out around 10% of the time in the lower levels of the minors but rarely putting the ball over the fence. 2021 seemed to be a breakout for him, as he hit 19 home runs between the systems of the Yankees and Pirates, finishing the year with a combined slash line of .278/.355/.487 and a wRC+ of 128.
He was selected to Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster in November of last year but couldn’t carry his positive developments forward. He got into 96 games at the big league level in 2022 and hit 11 home runs, but he also struck out in 26.5% of his plate appearances while walking just 4.9% of the time. He finished the season with a batting line of .206/.251/.382, production that was 27% below average, as evidenced by his 73 wRC+. He also got into 35 Triple-A games but the results were only marginally better.
Despite that disappointing season, the D-Backs are likely intrigued by his previous performance and defensive versatility. He’s played all four infield positions and a bit of right field, in addition to having a couple of option years remaining. The Arizona infield should have three spots taken by Christian Walker at first, Ketel Marte at second and Josh Rojas at third. Shortstop is a bit less certain, however, with Nick Ahmed the likely frontrunner at the moment. He’s never been an above-average bat but has long provided excellent defense. However, he’s been frequently injured, is turning 33 in March and is entering the last deal of his extension. Geraldo Perdomo is also on the roster but Castillo can give him some competition for playing time.
Randall, 24, was just drafted by the D-Backs last year and spent 2022 in High-A. He threw 108 1/3 innings over 21 starts with a 3.82 ERA, 23.4% strikeout rate, 5.6% walk rate and 37.3% ground ball rate. He’ll add some starting depth to the lower levels of the Pittsburgh system.
Widener, 28, was drafted by the Yankees but came to the Snakes in the three-team trade that sent Brandon Drury to the Bronx. He posted an ERA of 8.10 in 23 Triple-A starts in 2019 and has spent more time in relief since then. In 49 MLB appearances, 13 starts, over the past three major league seasons, he has a 4.26 ERA, 22.3% strikeout rate, 11% walk rate and 34.1% ground ball rate.
In 2022, he spent more time in Triple-A, throwing 36 2/3 innings for the Reno Aces. He posted an ERA of 5.40 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, along with a 29.6% strikeout rate and 7.5% walk rate. The Diamondbacks will now have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers. Should any team acquire him, he can provide versatile depth due to his two remaining option years.
Justice delos Santos of MLB.com announced Arizona’s acquisition of Castillo prior to the official announcement.
wow didn’t see taylor getting dropped. I sure hope this isn’t the move they think that we need.
They are depressing
Pirates pick up a minor league arm. Someone get the pole out of the crawl space.
“I got a lot of problems with you people…”
You couldn’t smooth a silk sheet if you had a hot date with a babe.. lost my train of thought
“That’s a shame.”
Castillo can hit left-handers to a respectable degree. Plus he’s not a bad 2B option. Wish we were able to keep him around, but is what it is. When you have so many other middle infielders, not all are going to be part of the team long term.
Castillo is horrible against right handed pitchers, and Castro is a switch hitter who fares well enough from both sides of the plate and which made Diego expendable
I mentioned on another post how the Pirates have depth at SS/2B and not everyone is able to play with the log jam there. Trading a few for SP, 1B, or OF help, would be more beneficial to the Pirates. With the wild FA market, Pirates could come away with a need after trading away a few 2B/SS prospects or MLB ready player. They know that Oneil Cruz can’t be moved. So that leave Nick Gonzales, Bae, and Diego to name a few, to be traded for a need. I feel they could get a bit more for Bae if they decided to trade him. I feel Bae can get a #3 starter with some MLB action and a pen arm or 1B at AA level and a #5 starter with AAA and MLB experience from last year. If Cruz is bound to stay, Bae would give pirates more pieces. If Pirates are concerned about his defense, they could move him now for a bigger haul than what Bae could get. I’d be ok with Cruz being traded out for a couple areas of need. There has been many questions about Cruz defensively and if he can even play the field. He hasn’t faired greatly in the OF and SS seems to be his make or break position. It can be someone else’s problem andthe Pirates get a decent return with a trade. Worst case, he only becomes a DH with some power. Best case, he’s later a all-star SS with power
The Pirates lack genuine speed, a base stealing threat, an effective bunter, all of which encompasses Bae.
Trading him would be a mistake
But trading Newman so quickly, they might have been able to package him with Castillo for a SP rather than doing both deals separately
Trading Cruz would be a colossal mistake at this stage of his career. It’s not hard envisioning him being a 30/30 player this season.
After Cherington trades away Reynolds, Cruz will be the face of the franchise. Likely to happen before ST.
I wouldn’t mind widener on my favorite team.
Randall is a Sac State alumni! Good year in the minors and good luck to him in the ‘Burgh
Widener? I barely know her!
Terrible.
This was, verbatim, Bauer’s argument to the arbitrator.
Pretty much got their replacement for Garcia who they just flipped for Joe
Weird… Widener has looked like a legitimate Major League SP6/swing guy the past 3 years in MLB and like a hitter pitching in a blowout in minors haha. All luck? that’s hard to argue with 100 IP but how else does one explain HOW bad he’s been in AAA?
Always liked Castillo’s game. Wouldn’t be surprised if he does well in AZ.
Awww man, DFA to South Aiken’s own.
Pirates are simply terrible at management
You’re correct Shelton isn’t a good manager. Hopefully this is his last season.
They resign him to manage this year. Hopefully they get a better manager next year.
correction
The Pirates are terrible at all phases of management and player development
Shelton signed a 3 year contract, this will be his last in 2023 if they don’t show significant improvement
Look for Castillo to do well in Arizona.
He had a great spring but then could not keep it up.
spring training pitching is similar to AAA or lower class pitching, players mostly showing their stuff and trying to either make the parent club or being signed to a minor league contract.
My point being, Castillo wasn’t batting against the best in baseball during spring training
He had a great spring but batting went downhill after that.
Hazen having a busy day last minute Christmas shopping
Randall looks interesting. just two years of pro-ball and doing pretty well after doing pretty well in college.
One to keep an eye on for a potential rotation job even if he is an MLB inning eater type this is a good swap.
Do think it is a good swap for the d-backs too if they have the space to get him some time.
Diego was going no where in the pirates system between not much room in the infield to play him and middling (at best) offense at the MLB level he had to be moved. If we could give him more time i bet he would’ve been an average second base option if not a bit better.
The Pirates are loaded with infield prospects while a bit short on mid level pitching. Maybe this works out for both.
For every Whitlock, there’s a Widener.
Anyone is a good return for Castillo. A back end prospect is great.