Three Under-the-Radar NL Teams That Could Trade for Willi Castro

[Cody Schoenmann]

As MLB's trade deadline nears, left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe, right-handed hitting outfielder Harrison Bader, and switch-hitting utility player Willi Castro are the players most likely to no longer be Minnesota Twins come Aug. 1. All three players should net sizable returns for Minnesota. Yet, given his defensive versatility and platoon-proof offensive profile, Castro is the rental option most likely to generate the most substantial package for Twins decision-makers.

Hitting .257/.346/.429 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, a 24.8% strikeout rate, and 118 wRC+ over 319 plate appearances, Castro has been one of Minnesota's most productive hitters, resulting in him consistently hitting in the top half of the club's order. Performing 18% better than league-average at the plate, Castro's defensive versatility has yet again been in full effect, with the 28-year-old netting starts at the following positions:

• Second base - 26 starts
• Left field - 25 starts
• Right field - 16 starts
• Third base - nine starts
• Shortstop - two starts

Admittedly, Castro hasn't provided plus value at these positions, sporting a cumulative -5 Outs Above Average (OAA). Even though he has regressed into a subpar defender this season, he is nevertheless servicable. He can start or be inserted into a game as a defensive substitution at any of the five aforementioned positions, still making him an incredibly valuable asset. Possessing this value, contending teams will actively be vying for Castro's services. Which teams will be most aggressive in their pursuit? What type of packages could Minnesota net? Let's take a look.

Milwaukee Brewers
The first potential destination for Castro is Minnesota's"border rival," the Milwaukee Brewers. Concluding an 11-game win streak after a 1-0 loss against Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee has propelled itself into World Series contender status, sitting one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central standings at 60-41. Nineteen games above .500, Milwaukee's success has been driven by an above-average starting rotation, elite bullpen, and assortment of unexpected offensive contributors, including Isaac Collins, Caleb Durbin, and (very recently) Andrew Vaughn.

The Brewers are a very deep team enriched with young, team-controlled talent. Yet, if there is one area of weakness, it would be the club's bench, which is highlighted by a lack of a viable utility player. As of now, Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler are receiving the most opportunities off Milwaukee's bench. However, the two position players have generated a combined 47 wRC+ over 76 plate appearances. These two players are effectively unplayable, especially for a club contending for a division title. That being the case, Milwaukee would significantly benefit from acquiring a plus utility player: enter Castro.

If acquired, Castro would likely slot primarily in the corner outfield and third base for Milwaukee, given that Brice Turang possesses a stronghold over second base. Castro could also mix in at shortstop. However, with primary starting shortstop Joey Ortiz's strong start out of the All-Star break and superb range at the position, there is reason to believe manager Pat Murphy will continue to provide the 27-year-old extended opportunities at the position.

Nevertheless, Castro would be an exceptionally valuable acquisition for Milwaukee. Club decision-makers could demote one of Monasterio or Seigler to Triple-A Nashville and insert Castro's plus bat into the lineup on a game-to-game basis. Milwaukee possesses a deep prospect pool, meaning Minnesota could net a substantial package if it elects to send the 28-year-old utility player to the 414. That being the case, the Twins front office could poach two top-30 prospects from Milwaukee's farm system, with a package potentially being headlined by starting pitching prospect Tyson Hardin or infield prospect Blake Burke.

San Diego Padres
As long as AJ Preller is San Diego's head baseball executive, the Padres will be incredibly active at the trade deadline, and this season's deadline shouldn't be any different. Despite operating under significant spending restrictions, Preller will get creative in patching the holes in the Padres' 26-man roster. Interestingly, Castro could be the solution to nearly all of San Diego's position player shortcomings, sans catcher (which, don't rule out Ryan Jeffers to San Diego).

Instead of an upgrade at a specific position, San Diego needs MLB-caliber hitters to insert into the bottom half of its order. If traded to the Padres, Castro could become the club's primary starting left fielder, the position he has netted the second-most starts at for Minnesota. Inserting Castro into left field would give San Diego another competent bat to complement the top half of its order.

The Padres have one of the worst farm systems in baseball and one of the most aggressive executives in baseball, meaning that if Castro were sent to San Diego, the Twins front office could potentially poach one or multiple of their top prospects or MLB-ready talent, such as right-handed starting pitching prospects Ryan Bergert and Braden Nett or young, high-potential position player prospects in Cobb Hightower and Kale Fountain.

Cincinnati Reds
Despite operating as a super utility player in 2023 and 2024 for Minnesota, Castro has been limited to playing second base, third base, and the corner outfield this season, with third base arguably being the position he presently provides the most value at. Interestingly, Cincinnati is in the market for third base and corner outfield help, making Castro a viable solution to the club's most pressing needs.

Now, labeling the Reds as "buyers" could be deemed a far-fetched proclamation. Yet, after going 15-11 in June and manufacturing a commendable 9-9 record so far in July, Cincinnati sits at 52-47 and just 1 1/2 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot. Possessing an 11% chance of earning an NL Wild Card spot, according to FanGraphs, the Reds hold worse playoff odds than Minnesota, which possesses a 12.6% chance of earning an AL Wild Card spot. Still, with Reds' General Manager Brad Meador stating the club could buy and sell at the deadline, Castro could end up in the Queen City.

Unlike San Diego, Cincinnati has a robust farm system, meaning Minnesota could net a more alluring package for the versatile position player's services. Despite possessing a significant amount of high-end starting pitching prospects, Minnesota should target position player prospects with high-upside bats. That being the case, left-handed hitting outfield prospect Héctor Rodríguez would be the ideal headliner of a return package, with fellow left-handed hitting outfield prospects Carlos Jorge and Ethan O'Donnell being intriguing options, too.

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[tony&rodney]

Really like this article and the ideas.

Why not make an attempt to pry away Jeferson Quero? Castro and Lee?

[Dman]

Kind of hoping for a bidding war for Castro's services, but we will see.  He is the literal missing piece for Milwaukee.  I'd over bid if I were them given they have so few weaknesses.  Willie is position player insurance for pretty much every position.  There just aren't many guys that can cover so many spots and bat close to an .800 OPS and even steal bases for you. 

I'd look for a surprising return somewhere around what Cruz got.  Not saying the Twins would get another Joe Ryan but the quality of prospects could be in that range.

So I'd say the packages here look light to me, but they seem close for most rentals.  I just think Castro isn't most rental's.

[DJL44]

I think every playoff team can fit Willi Castro onto their roster and onto their payroll. His versatility and relatively low salary make him a valuable addition.

[DJL44]

Who is the top of the market right now? Is Suarez the guy who has to move before Castro gets dealt?

I think Bader will move after Mullins and possibly Laureano. Coulombe might be the #1 LHRP.

Paddack should find a buyer but I'm not sure the Twins will find one for France or Vazquez.

[twinstalker]

Castro and EmRod for Luis Pena! and a pitcher the Twins like the Brewers don't.  Pena's going to be a starting infielder.  Law has him at 37.  He's an 18 year old SS at low A with a K-rate of 13%, and that's ridiculous.  His slash is .316/.383/.486, 13 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR in 287 PAs.  He's 40 and 7 on the basepaths.

Since Castro would never come close to getting such a prospect, the Twins would be wise to move a guy who not only spends most of his time on the IL but also probably isn't going to be much of a hitter under their development.  Milwaukee might like EmRod.  This would be a great deal for the Twins and keep us from years of headaches.

[Dman]

57 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Who is the top of the market right now? Is Suarez the guy who has to move before Castro gets dealt?

I think Bader will move after Mullins and possibly Laureano. Coulombe might be the #1 LHRP.

Paddack should find a buyer but I'm not sure the Twins will find one for France or Vazquez.

Yeah I don't know if the Twins dare move Castro until Something happens with Suarez.  Teams will be saving their prospects for him. That is a nice bat for a playoff team.  Could\should be difference maker type bat. I am betting they wait until the end to deal him unless some team overpays early.

Unless some teams main priority is Castro and the Twins have a sense for what other teams might give up Castro could go earlier, but he is second fiddle to Suarez IMO.

[High heat]

In a big picture look at Castro as a whole.

 

Signed as a minor league FA, instantly provided a spark offensively and filling in for injuries at SS, CF and all around the diamond and for league minimum.  

Has had small increases in salary and providing fill in relief at 6 different positions over 3 yrs. While providing a very solid bat and speed earlier in his Twins tenure.  
 

This year got his big arbitration raise and now he is likely going to get traded for future value.  
 

He has provided much more value then cost spent over the past 3 season.  

[Parfigliano]

TC has a 12.6% chance at the final wild card spot?  Ok sure.😉

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, High heat said:

He has provided much more value then cost spent over the past 3 season.  

He is probably the best free agent signing of the Falvey era.

[mrtwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

TC has a 12.6% chance at the final wild card spot?  Ok sure.😉

[Doctor Gast]

Yeah, Castro is a pretty good player. Many teams need a 3Bman, if Suarez won't be available, Castro could be one of the better ones available. We could have teams bid him up. Many teams need cOFers. Many teams need a super utility player who can play SS or CF in a pinch. LAD has highly valued such players. What I've heard is they aren't going to make a big splash & they are interested in Coloumbe & Steward; package them with Castro could swing an impact trade.

Castro has been one of the few steady offensive forces this season. If Falvey finally does something to shore up the rotation so they don't fall apart at the end, we have a chance & we need Castro to do so.

[Whitey333]

Perhaps even the Yankees.  They are reeling and now Judge is on the IL with a bad elbow, or flexor strain.  Im pretty sure the Twins will trade him.  He's been a good player for the Twins and could be a great asset for a real contender.  Excellent article.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

He is probably the best free agent signing of the Falvey era.

Castro has been good and I have been shouting his praises the last couple years.  However, I would go with Nelson Cruz.  Nelly raked in a Twins uniform, was a great leader and we got Joe Ryan for a 1/2 year of Cruz.

[stringer bell]

I've liked Castro since he was signed after being non-tendered by the Tigers. In 2023, he was off-the-charts effective and his defense and base running contributed greatly to the Twins' success. While his hitting is better, he has helped the team less on the bases and in the field in the past two years with regular playing time. 

By himself, on an expiring contract, he won't net a surefire prospect. He's been a good player who was acquired for basically nothing--a real win for the Twins--and his versatility has been valuable for the team, but I think he can be replaced by a lower paid player in the future.

[Paul Walerius]

I would really hope the Twins don't trade with the reds for a guy who died in 2003 at the age of 83.

I am sure Hector was good but feel like it would be a one-sided trade.

 

 

[Doctor Wu]

13 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Perhaps even the Yankees.  They are reeling and now Judge is on the IL with a bad elbow, or flexor strain.  Im pretty sure the Twins will trade him.  He's been a good player for the Twins and could be a great asset for a real contender.  Excellent article.

It seemed as if the Yankees would have been a good fit, but they just traded for Ahmed Rosario, so I don't think they will be going after Castro at this point. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

It seemed as if the Yankees would have been a good fit, but they just traded for Ahmed Rosario, so I don't think they will be going after Castro at this point. 

I hope that means the Twins have a better bid in hand than what the Yankees were willing to offer.

[thelanges5]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I hope that means the Twins have a better bid in hand than what the Yankees were willing to offer.

I hope this doesn’t mean the Twins have such high asking prices that they do nothing for the 3rd year in a row.
Pro Tip: Running it back isn’t working.