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Slick relief pitcher Miguel Castro is looking for a new home this offseason as a free agent, and he’ll come at a discount. Who could make the most of this value veteran reliever this upcoming season? The answer may depend on more than just a good price.
Miguel Castro Free Agent Profile
A Rockie Start for a Slick Relief Pitcher
Drafted as an international free agent in 2012, the right-handed relief pitcher Castro joined the Toronto Blue Jays Dominican League affiliate team, where he quickly went to work and showed promise, earning a 3-2 record on 20 strikeouts with a 4.73 ERA. He would continue to work his way through the Jays farm system, showing improvement each step of the way. This facilitated his major league debut in 2015 with the Blue Jays, where he pitched 12 innings, before being traded to the Colorado Rockies for the remainder of the season. Overall, the 2015 season saw the reliever throw for a paltry 6.11 ERA on 18 strikeouts for three saves in 18 appearances.
2016 didn’t fare much better for the relief pitcher, seeing only his WHIP improve to 1.568 from 1.755 the previous year with no other statistical improvements. This led to the Rockies designating Castro for assignment in April of 2017, where the Baltimore Orioles would quickly move to make a trade for the still-promising relief pitcher and add him to their roster.
Getting Stronger
The 2017 season with the Orioles saw Castro’s best work to date, throwing 66 innings for a 3-3 record on an ERA of 3.53 with 38 strikeouts and a further improved WHIP of 1.221. This promising season would give the slick relief pitcher value with the organization going forward, signing consecutive one-year deals with the Orioles through the 2020 season. After being traded to the New York Mets in August 2020, Castro would end the season with a combined 4.01 ERA on 38 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched with a 1.662 WHIP.
The Mets would see Castro’s best work yet in 2021, where he had a 3.45 ERA on 24 strikeouts with a WHIP of 1.294 in 69 innings pitched. Castro would then sign a one-year $2.62 million contract on March 22nd, 2022 in the face of salary arbitration. On April 3rd, the Mets traded Castro to the New York Yankees for Joely Rodriguez . After slipping slightly in all stats, Castro would go on to sign a $3.5 million, one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2023 with a 2024 option. After moving to the desert, he’d tie for second in the league with 75 appearances for the World Series-bound DBacks in 2023, throwing 60 strikeouts for a 4.03 ERA with a 1.175 WHIP.
A Drop In Price, But Still Holds Value
2024 saw both a drop in ability and availability for Castro. After an impressive outing in March against the Rockies, April saw Castro post a 5.87 ERA in seven appearances before the club put him on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation. After a lengthy rehab process, the veteran made just three appearances in July before the Snakes designated Castro for assignment and then released him outright.
Former #Dbacks RHP Miguel Castro, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday, has been released.
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) August 1, 2024
Though he is unlikely to offer the velocity he had just a season ago, Castro’s ability to create soft contact, with a career 32.8 hard hit percentage, resulting in an above-average 48.6 ground ball percentage primarily off breaking balls, is an attractive feature in a reliever. The 29-year-old left-hander can still get outs when it counts and offers enough value out of the bullpen in enough situations to be enticing to plenty of teams. The question is, who not only needs his talents but who is willing to invest in a one-year deal after a sharp drop in 2024?
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are in full bullpen rebuild mode right now, as they struggle to re-sign or replace reliable relievers. This need to spend could open up an opportunity for a utility reliever like Miguel Castro to fill in where needed and help spread out the innings, all while keeping the ball in the park for clutch outs. While the rumors swirl around big closers signing with the Rangers, signing Castro is the kind of deal that can help cement a season for a team looking to make it back to the World Series.
Athletics
Beyond moving pains after leaving their beloved Oakland behind, the Athletics have some moves to make in the offseason if they want to solidify their bullpen headed into what will be a novel season for the franchise. With several right-handed relievers testing free agency and arbitration, the A’s could look to add Castro as a slightly less costly version of someone like Austin Adams. If the Athletics want a veteran they could slot in where needed at cost, Castro could be the answer.
Veteran Relief Pitcher Looking to Shine
Off-years and injuries have led to less-than-impressive stat lines at times, but Miguel Castro has shown his potential out of the bullpen over the years and is looking to return to form in 2025. With the experience and soft contact qualities he presents, Castro can fill the role of veteran in any bullpen, and is likely to secure a one-year deal worth up to $1 million, possibly with a team option attached. There is also the possibility that an organization will sign Castro to a deal with some minor league time attached. Wherever the slick relief pitcher lands as a free agent, Miguel Castro is likely to show his range of skill and hold down the latter end of dozens of games this upcoming season.
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