New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns continues to reimagine his team with a tint of pinstripes.
On Friday, the Mets announced they claimed infielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Castillo was a Yankees prospect from 2014-21 until they traded him and infielder Hoy Park to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Clay Holmes. At the time, Castillo was in Double-A.
The Yankees have since developed Holmes into one of the most dominant late-game relievers and a 2022 All-Star. With New York, Holmes has a 2.50 ERA and 44 saves in 154 2/3 innings over two-plus seasons.
Castillo, 26, has played 97 major league games, posting a .206/.251/.382 slash line with 11 home runs. He has experience all over the field, including the outfield corners, so he’ll give the Mets depth in the minors as a utility player, especially up the middle.
Even though he has struggled in the majors, Castillo flashes on-base skills with a career .346 OBP and 365 strikeouts to 279 walks in eight minor league seasons. In 2023, Castillo recorded a .313/.431/.410 line with three home runs and 72 RBI across 454 at-bats for Arizona’s Pacific Coast League Triple-A team.
Among their offseason moves, the Mets have added Carlos Mendoza (manager), Luis Severino (pitcher) and Harrison Bader (outfielder) — all former Yankees.