Former Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays Reliever Signs Deal with World Series Champs

Former Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays reliever Diego Castillo has a new home after signing a deal with the World Champion Texas Rangers.

Per MLBTradeRumors:

The Rangers have signed right-hander Diego Castillo to a minor league contract, according to Castillo’s player page on MLB.com. The details of the the deal aren’t clear, but presumably include an invite to big league Spring Training.

Castillo elected free agency back in October after last season with the Mariners organization. He's still just 29 years old but will turn 30 in January.

He struggled in 2023 with the Mariners, pitching to a 6.23 ERA in just eight games, but he's generally been a very good reliever in his career.

He began his career with the Rays in 2018 and stayed with Tampa Bay until being traded to Seattle in the 2021 season. He's registered ERAs of 3.18, 3.41, 1.66 (COVID 2020), 2.78 and 3.64 in his full seasons in the big leagues prior to this past one.

Armed with a power sinker and a mid-90s fastball, Castillo also features a good slider.

At Triple-A this year, he went 5-5 with a 5.13 ERA over 47.1 innings. He struck out 50 batters in those 47.1 innings.

Despite winning the World Series, the Rangers are armed with questions in their bullpen. Though it stepped up in the playoffs, it was the clear weak link in the organization all year long. In addition, they have lost Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith to free agency, meaning there bodies down there to replace.