Has Willi Castro Forced Himself into the Twins' Long-Term Plans?

[Hunter McCall]

The Twins may have signed Willi Castro as a depth piece this offseason, but he has quickly turned himself into an integral piece of the team and may have cemented himself in the team's long-term plans.

Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

When the Minnesota Twins signed Willi Castro to a minor-league deal in late December, it was mostly an afterthought. However, since joining the team, Castro has thrust himself into the role of solid super-utility man. His slash line of .234/.315/.359 may not jump off the page, but Castro is finding ways to help the Twins win and continues adding exceptional value to the minor-league contract he signed.

Castro has excelled on the bases in 2023. Leading the Twins in stolen bases with 20 (tied for 12th in the MLB), Castro has consistently given the Twins an extra weapon when he gets on base. Whether he's stealing second base with two outs to get into scoring position for an RBI opportunity or stealing home on a first/third delayed steal play, Castro has been a significant asset on the bases.

The discussion has begun on what the Twins will do if Nick Gordon, returns and the Twins don't have a spot for him. Since Castro has an option remaining, the argument could be made that the Twins should option Castro and have Gordon return as the team's super-utility man. However, if the Twins were smart, they'd stick with Castro for the rest of 2023 and beyond.

While Gordon provides more home run pop at the plate, Castro has been better than Gordon in almost every other facet. Castro is a better fielder and baserunner than Gordon. He has come through in some big moments at the plate as well. Gordon had a good 2022, but his .503 OPS before his injury should not offer much optimism for his return to his 2022 form.

Willi Castro has consistently been among the Twins' most valuable position players in 2023. His ability to play great defense and run the bases while providing enough impact at the plate has resulted in a solid first half of the 2023 season. The Twins should continue to use him almost every day as their super-utility man, and since he's under team control until 2026, they should consider keeping him in their long-term plans.

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[nicksaviking]

I hope not. Even as a bench player, the Twins have more than enough guys in AA and AAA who can do what he does, but with significantly higher ceilings.

[RpR]

He has earned his spot;  any one else will have to earn their way up, not be wishful thoughts.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

He's got a 90 OPS+, c'mon folks.

[Brett]

It seems like utility players and relievers will have quite a bit of variation year to year. I’m sure many of us thought that Nick Gordon would be a key piece after last year. Maybe next year is Michael Helman’s time to shine.

When Gordon comes back, do you part with Farmer instead? Or Solano? Or everyone’s least favorite .780 OPS, Gallo? Tough call.

[Hunter McCall]

1 minute ago, Brett said:

It seems like utility players and relievers will have quite a bit of variation year to year. I’m sure many of us thought that Nick Gordon would be a key piece after last year. Maybe next year is Michael Helman’s time to shine.

When Gordon comes back, do you part with Farmer instead? Or Solano? Or everyone’s least favorite .780 OPS, Gallo? Tough call.

I think Nick Gordon should be the odd man out personally.

[Hunter McCall]

6 minutes ago, Alex Schieferdecker said:

He's got a 90 OPS+, c'mon folks.

Has also provided elite defense and is their only threat on the bases. As I stated above.

[Mike Sixel]

19 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I hope not. Even as a bench player, the Twins have more than enough guys in AA and AAA who can do what he does, but with significantly higher ceilings.

I think he's 100% as good or better than Gordon, and the other guys (Martin for example) aren't sure things. I actually like Castro as a utility guy quite a bit. 

[Hunter McCall]

19 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I hope not. Even as a bench player, the Twins have more than enough guys in AA and AAA who can do what he does, but with significantly higher ceilings.

Who’s going to steal 20 bases and play elite defense while playing several positions? Yes, the Twins have minor league talent, but none with the ability to bring what he has to the utility position.

[Vanimal46]

Long term plans? No, not yet anyway. Depends on what he’s projected to get in arbitration… That might price himself out of the role. 

[Jocko87]

16 minutes ago, Alex Schieferdecker said:

He's got a 90 OPS+, c'mon folks.

It's what happens when the super utility player has to play everyday.  The beauty of the player type is that they can be inserted in all kinds of advantageous spots and be successful.  That's also a pretty damn good OPS+ for a player in that position.

The super utility role on this roster is certainly here to stay.  Gordon isn't a super utility player anymore, he's just another LH outfielder that can play 2B in an emergency.  Having Castro to compare with shows how limited Gordon really is.  Gordon getting injured was one of the best things that could have happened roster wise for the Twins. I feel for him but he's going to have decent career as a full time ML player with the As or Royals.  He's no longer a fit here.

I think Castro is locked into this roster for the year.  As guys get healthy he gets more valuable.  I would do everything I could not to use his option so it was still available next year. 

[gman]

Not in the long term plans. He has had a much better year than I am sure anyone expected, but he is replaceable. Maybe not this winter, but could be next summer. He has earned a spot in the majors though, but I don't think he is a long term member of the Twins.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

The Nick Punto's of the world always garner the most hate...

[Fire Dan Gladden]

23 minutes ago, Hunter McCall said:

Who’s going to steal 20 bases and play elite defense while playing several positions? Yes, the Twins have minor league talent, but none with the ability to bring what he has to the utility position.

This.

[chpettit19]

I don't know if he's forced himself into their long-term plans, but I think he's earned the chance to keep his roster spot for the rest of this year, and, assuming he continues to play at this level, the first shot at a utility role for next year. I'm not giving him any sort of multi-year deal, but I'd take him on his last arb year for next year, and go from there. He's at the front of the line for their utility players, and I think he's a wonderful 13th position player. He stays that way until someone knocks him off his perch.

[RpR]

5 minutes ago, gman said:

Not in the long term plans. He has had a much better year than I am sure anyone expected, but he is replaceable. Maybe not this winter, but could be next summer.

Why not?

[Craig Arko]

Did Marwin Gonzalez figure into the long-term plans? No, but he had a role here for a couple of years. Castro can do at least that well.

[Dman]

If this is just a Castro versus Gordon deal then yes I think Castro is the better option.  They both are aggressive at the plate and don't walk much.  Their batting stats are really pretty close but Castro seems better and more versatile in the field. He also is a switch hitter which can give him better pitching matchups.

That being said neither player looks like they will ever be much over a .700 OPS hitter and that is why they are bench bats.  Castro has never even had an OPS over .700 except in the COVID shortened 2020 year. So long term I think you hope for something better there, but his versatility seems unmatched as he can do most everything well but not really elite in any area.

I think he stays in this role until someone better comes along and that someone better doesn't seem like Nick Gordon to me.

[4twinsJA]

I like Castro, he is definitely above Gordon for me. Better defensively, and can play more positions at higher level. Castro is best SB threat on the Twins. He is an average hitter but that is what you would expect from a defense, speed type utility player- if he could hit better would be fulltime player. I don't know if Castro is in Twins longterm plans 4-5 years, but seems a lock for rest of year and should get first opportunity for utility role next year.

[Hunter McCall]

42 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Long term plans? No, not yet anyway. Depends on what he’s projected to get in arbitration… That might price himself out of the role. 

I hear you, but until then, he should be cemented in as their utility man in my opinion over guys like Nick Gordon.

[Hunter McCall]

28 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

It's what happens when the super utility player has to play everyday.  The beauty of the player type is that they can be inserted in all kinds of advantageous spots and be successful.  That's also a pretty damn good OPS+ for a player in that position.

The super utility role on this roster is certainly here to stay.  Gordon isn't a super utility player anymore, he's just another LH outfielder that can play 2B in an emergency.  Having Castro to compare with shows how limited Gordon really is.  Gordon getting injured was one of the best things that could have happened roster wise for the Twins. I feel for him but he's going to have decent career as a full time ML player with the As or Royals.  He's no longer a fit here.

I think Castro is locked into this roster for the year.  As guys get healthy he gets more valuable.  I would do everything I could not to use his option so it was still available next year. 

Agree with this 100%

[farmerguychris]

He's pretty much a perfect Super Utility Player for us.  Can play nearly any position in the field, and not a butcher at the plate.  I think in the spring it will be between Gordon, Martin and Castro for the 12th and 13th bench spots.  None may be exceptional regulars, but the ability to play anywhere and hold their own at the plate will be what determines who stays and who plays in St. Paul.  Should be a good spring battle.

[Hunter McCall]

28 minutes ago, gman said:

Not in the long term plans. He has had a much better year than I am sure anyone expected, but he is replaceable. Maybe not this winter, but could be next summer. He has earned a spot in the majors though, but I don't think he is a long term member of the Twins.

Why not? Who do you replace him with? He leads Twins position players in WAR and he’s a utility guy. Where will you find a utility guy with that value? He’s more than worth a roster spot going forward.

[Hunter McCall]

27 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't know if he's forced himself into their long-term plans, but I think he's earned the chance to keep his roster spot for the rest of this year, and, assuming he continues to play at this level, the first shot at a utility role for next year. I'm not giving him any sort of multi-year deal, but I'd take him on his last arb year for next year, and go from there. He's at the front of the line for their utility players, and I think he's a wonderful 13th position player. He stays that way until someone knocks him off his perch.

He’s controllable through 2025. I think keeping him rostered through his current contract would be wise assuming he sustains similar production.

[Hunter McCall]

14 minutes ago, 4twinsJA said:

I like Castro, he is definitely above Gordon for me. Better defensively, and can play more positions at higher level. Castro is best SB threat on the Twins. He is an average hitter but that is what you would expect from a defense, speed type utility player- if he could hit better would be fulltime player. I don't know if Castro is in Twins longterm plans 4-5 years, but seems a lock for rest of year and should get first opportunity for utility role next year.

Yes, assuming sustained productivity, I think he should be rostered and played in the utility role until his contract runs up after the 2025 season.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

He has earned his spot;  any one else will have to earn their way up, not be wishful thoughts.

This organization is not letting guys "earn" their way up. They continue to defer to veteran players with limited offensive upside, and this team needs to find multiple players with significant offensive upside. They just can't do that by continuing to roster these kinds of players.

[ashbury]

A lot of Willi Castro's current value is that he has a minor league option remaining, and has insufficient service time (3+ years at present) to refuse an assignment.  Gordon by contrast can't be sent down, neither can the older veterans.  Roster flexibility for the AAAA type of player makes someone less dispensable. 

If you view a couple of years as "long-term plans" then yes Castro has made it.  As soon as he can't be sent down, and scuffles for a couple of months, he falls out of the plans.  He needs to find one more tweak to his offense to make me think more highly of him than that.  It could happen.

[Hunter McCall]

28 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Did Marwin Gonzalez figure into the long-term plans? No, but he had a role here for a couple of years. Castro can do at least that well.

Castro also has provided more value than Gonzalez, but not a bad comp.

[nicksaviking]

58 minutes ago, Hunter McCall said:

Who’s going to steal 20 bases and play elite defense while playing several positions? Yes, the Twins have minor league talent, but none with the ability to bring what he has to the utility position.

Those things are bonuses, not essential. Offense is essential and until the Twins can figure out how to put a lineup of quality hitters together, elite defense and stealing bases should take a back seat.

[Hunter McCall]

1 minute ago, ashbury said:

A lot of Willi Castro's current value is that he has a minor league option remaining, and has insufficient service time (3+ years at present) to refuse an assignment.  Gordon by contrast can't be sent down, neither can the older veterans.  Roster flexibility for the AAAA type of player makes someone less dispensable. 

If you view a couple of years as "long-term plans" then yes Castro has made it.  As soon as he can't be sent down, and scuffles for a couple of months, he falls out of the plans.  He needs to find one more tweak to his offense to make me think more highly of him than that.  It could happen.

Yes, a couple years to me is long-term for someone they signed to a minor league deal. My thought is, he’s the utility man for the next couple years. I think the WAR he’s provided for his role is rather valuable.