The New York Yankees’ first formal goodbye to Diego Castillo was as Hoy Park’s partner in the Clay Holmes deal, which was transformed from “minor move” to “here’s your closer” in a matter of months.
The second time was much simpler. Over the last two weeks, the Yankees have rotated numerous names on the fringes of their 40-man roster. They once had enough room to absorb Jorbit Vivas and assist the Dodgers make room for key acquisitions. Now? They don’t; Jeter Downs had to leave for Castillo to be claimed, and Castillo was shipped out when it came time to add Matt Gage.
In less than a week, GAGE has already been traded (Caleb Ferguson), while DOWNS has cleared waivers. Castillo? He is a Philadelphia Phillie, and it is now his only responsibility to ensure that the Phillies never again lose Games 6 and 7 of a postseason series at home with the World Series on the line.
Yankees lose Diego Castillo (again) to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Diego Castillo was not expected to be the difference maker in this Yankees summer. To be honest, he would not have been the most impactful Diego Castillo they could have added; the former Rays closer would have filled a more pressing need than a versatile infielder.
However, Castillo, a former Yankee farmhand who once drilled 11 home runs for the 2022 Pirates, would have had the opportunity to claim a super-utility job on a Yankees team that currently has a vacancy. Oswaldo Cabrera currently holds the post. If the Yankees want to be more intentional with their bench, rather than simply piling struggling young guys on it, they could look into the Tony Kemp rumors.
However, Castillo will not be filling in for Bryson Stott in many split-squad games this spring. It’s a shame his “era” in pinstripes didn’t last at least until position players arrived at camp.
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