Diamondbacks agree to deal with hard-throwing reliever Miguel Castro
The Arizona Diamondbacks added another reliever with power stuff to their bullpen on Friday, agreeing to terms with right-hander Miguel Castro on a one-year, $3.5 million deal that includes a possible option for 2024.
Castro, who turns 28 later this month, has pitched parts of eight seasons in the majors despite his relative youth, but his spotty command has kept him from being a wholly reliable late-inning option.
That said, he does come with electric stuff, including a fastball that averages 98 mph along with a slider and a change-up, both of which he uses to elicit swings and misses.
The Diamondbacks are betting on Castro still having room to grow into more consistency, and either way he adds the kind of pure stuff the bullpen has lacked in recent years.
Castro’s contract includes the possibility for both player and vesting options for 2024. If he makes 60 appearances, it will automatically vest for $5 million. If he finishes 40 games next season, it will trigger a player option worth $6 million. If both occur, the player option takes precedence, giving Castro the chance to hit the market again.
Castro last year posted a 4.03 ERA in 29 innings, walking 15 and striking out 31, for the New York Yankees. He missed nearly three months due to a shoulder strain.
Castro, who was originally signed by the Blue Jays, was once a key part of the deal that sent Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado to Toronto. He has pitched in the majors for the Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Yankees.
Castro is the latest power-armed reliever the Diamondbacks have added to their roster this winter. Last month, they acquired right-hander Carlos Vargas in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians and added right-hander Justin Martinez to their 40-man roster, protecting the prospect from the Rule 5 draft.
Read more: Diamondbacks' GM not looking to ‘wait around’ as trade market heats up
Feeling good
Outfielder Kyle Lewis, who met with Arizona reporters on a conference call on Friday morning, described his trade last month from the Seattle Mariners as being a “shock to the system,” but he said he was excited about the opportunity he will get with the Diamondbacks and the team’s potential to compete next season.
He said he sees in the Diamondbacks similarities to the Mariners, who this season ended a 21-year playoff drought.
“I feel like looking at this Arizona team, we’re in a similar spot and have got the talent to do it, have got the guys to do it, and a lot of belief in (manager) Torey (Lovullo),” Lewis said. “I don’t see why this team can’t make the playoffs. I feel like this team is definitely in a position to compete and put together a season that is memorable.”
Lewis, who has battled a slew of knee injuries throughout his career, said he was “really happy” with how he is feeling and expected to come to camp “ready to roll and ready to contribute any way that I can.”
“I just think from this point forward, I know what I can do at the plate,” Lewis said. “I’ve got power, a good eye and plate discipline, swinging at the right pitches and bringing what I believe to be an advanced approach to the plate. That’s always something I pride myself on.
“Defensively, able to contribute, being smart, being efficient, things like that. Learning more about efficiency these last couple of years. I think there’s definitely still a lot of upside there and that’s something I don’t discount at all.”
More power
The Diamondbacks recently signed another hard-thrower to a minor league deal in Michel Otanez, a 25-year-old right-hander with a fastball that regularly touches triple digits.
Otanez, who has spent his career in the Mets’ system, walked nearly a batter per inning this year in 44 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A.
The club sees the signing as a no-risk gamble as it hopes pitching coach Brent Strom can help Otanez find more consistency with his strike-throwing. Otanez's deal includes an invite to major league spring training.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks agree to deal with hard-throwing reliever Miguel Castro
