Interesting (and Surprising) Transaction

[stringer bell]

I was surprised by both the move to bring back Jay Jackson to the major league team and the DFA of Diego Castillo (the pitcher). Jackson really wasn't effective for the Twins and he doesn't have much of a major league resumé. The Twins have plenty of other guys that wouldn't have necessitated potentially losing another veteran arm (Castillo), yet they chose to select Jackson's contract and then DFA Castillo. 

To look at the transaction from a glass-half-full perspective, they must really like Jackson and figured that the stint in St. Paul was what was needed to have him "get right". Perhaps also, they think that Castillo will both get through the DFA process and accept assignment at St. Paul. I believe he's been designated for assignment before, if he hasn't, then the Twins can outright him to the Saints. 

Another view is that the potential relievers, including Funderburk, Winder, Henriquez on the 40-man aren't going to help the club as much as Jackson. There are quite a few guys that could have been considered for promotion who weren't on the 40-man, including Nick Wittgren, Scott Blewett, Ryan Jensen and Jeff Brigham. Purchasing Jackson's contract seems to indicate that none of these guys are more than depth options. 

 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Time will tell. 

Signing Jackson always seemed a bit odd to me. Small sample size in the majors and not much success. Maybe he can catch lightening in a bottle, but more than likely, considering his age, I think we're in the realm of what you see is what you get. Low leverage arm when you're up big or down big.

Wouldn't mind Winder or Henriquez getting another look. Even if they have low ceilings, it's still higher than Jackson's.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

53 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I was surprised by both the move to bring back Jay Jackson to the major league team and the DFA of Diego Castillo (the pitcher). Jackson really wasn't effective for the Twins and he doesn't have much of a major league resumé. The Twins have plenty of other guys that wouldn't have necessitated potentially losing another veteran arm (Castillo), yet they chose to select Jackson's contract and then DFA Castillo. 

To look at the transaction from a glass-half-full perspective, they must really like Jackson and figured that the stint in St. Paul was what was needed to have him "get right". Perhaps also, they think that Castillo will both get through the DFA process and accept assignment at St. Paul. I believe he's been designated for assignment before, if he hasn't, then the Twins can outright him to the Saints. 

Another view is that the potential relievers, including Funderburk, Winder, Henriquez on the 40-man aren't going to help the club as much as Jackson. There are quite a few guys that could have been considered for promotion who weren't on the 40-man, including Nick Wittgren, Scott Blewett, Ryan Jensen and Jeff Brigham. Purchasing Jackson's contract seems to indicate that none of these guys are more than depth options. 

 

Especially since Thielbar is obviously hurt. Why DFA Castillo when Thielbar needs to be on the IL?

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I wasn't enamored with Castillo. Is another team going to claim him? His control was shaky at best and the last couple of outings, there was some loud contact.

[Shaitan]

I think it was Jackson because they can always designate him and pass him through waivers again with little to no lost value.

[stringer bell]

25 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Especially since Thielbar is obviously hurt. Why DFA Castillo when Thielbar needs to be on the IL?

The whole process of bringing up Varland to start a game necessitated taking someone off the active roster and the choices would be Castillo and Sands as guys with options. They could have promoted someone who was on the 40-man like Funderburk, Winder or Henriquez and then they wouldn't have to DFA anyone. 

[stringer bell]

25 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

I wasn't enamored with Castillo. Is another team going to claim him? His control was shaky at best and the last couple of outings, there was some loud contact.

I agree that Castillo wasn't overly impressive. His FIP is pretty high (5.28) and his problem the last couple of years has been his walk rate and he walked seven in seven innings for the Twins. Relievers have small sample sizes and BABiP luck and a high strand rate can hide some suspect performances. When Jackson was designated MLB Trade Rumors noted that his deeper numbers were much better than his ERA, indicating he was on the unfortunate side in a small sample size. 

Caleb Thielbar also looked to be unfortunate so far this year, but allowing a bunch of walks and hard contact to the Rockies might be the true measure of his effectiveness or lack thereof. 

[Shaitan]

Saints clubhouse manager job just got easier, with only one Diego Castillo to keep track of.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/diego-castillo-elects-free-agency-twins.html

[Dman]

I was surprised he elected Free Agency, but after thinking about it more I guess it makes a ton of sense.  He wasn't going to get another chance with the Twins most likely with Stewart coming back at some point and maybe Topa and Funderburk and Henriquez waiting in the wings. Probably best to try and see if a team most desperate for pen help would be willing to grab him and give him more chances at the MLB level.