Yankees cut former promising Boston Red Sox infielder, sign bullpen arm with upside

The Yankees have been shuffling their roster over the past few weeks, signing a few spring training invites to compete. Earlier this off-season, they brought in Oscar Gonzalez to support the outfield and former Boston Red Sox promising utility infielder Jeter Downs.

However, the Yankees cut Gonzalez this past week and did the same with Downs on Friday, making room for 30-year-old pitcher Diego Castillo.

Downs, 25, never got an opportunity to showcase his value with the Yankees. He’s played 20 MLB games, hitting .182/.260/.273. In all likelihood, Downs was never going to see an MLB baseball diamond, given his lack of production in the past. However, he makes room for a 30-year-old pitcher who has tossed 268.1 MLB innings.

The Yankees took a SOlid Gamble on Castillo At No Cost

Castillo pitched 8.2 innings in 2023 with the Seattle Mariners. He hosted a 6.23 ERA, but he’s been excellent in the past, and the Yankees are trying to extract any remaining value. Castillo tossed 54.1 innings in 2022, recording a 3.64 ERA, and pitched 58.1 innings in 2021, collecting a 2.78 ERA.

Castillo has been solid in the past, and it seems he’s trying to latch on with the team. His sinker/slider combination fits well for Matt Blake’s preference out of the bullpen.

Castillo is one of those low-key arms that end up making an impact for the Yankees in 2024, making him more valuable than a utility man who will likely be buried in the minor system and Gonzalez, whose services are no longer needed after the acquisition of multiple outfielders.