Rockies sign Former Twins Utility Man Willi Castro to a 2-year Deal

[NJM]

   Today it was reported that the Colorado Rockies have signed UTL Willi Castro to a 2-year deal worth $12.8 Million dollars. Castro was traded to the Chicago Cubs during the Twins infamous 2025 Trade Deadline for two pitching prospects in Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong. Castro struggled immensely in the 2nd half batting only .161 with a -0.5 WAR. It got so bad that he was even left out of the Cubs 2025 Playoff roster. Castro is looking to have a much needed bounce back season with the Rockies and Coors Field will likely help him in that matter, he wont be competing since the Rockies are stuck in MLB purgatory currently and have been for about half a decade now. 

   Currently Fangraphs projects Castro to have a 1.2 WAR, while playing in 133 games while still having an OPS under .700. This move by the Rockies will give them much needed position flexibility with Fangraphs projecting him to play third and bat seventh, but Castro played every position besides catcher and first base last year so I don't believe most of his games will be at third. 

 

[stringer bell]

Two years and $12.8M, a decent payday for Willi. Good for him.

I would expect he will put up good offensive numbers playing half of his games in Colorado. 

[The Great Hambino]

On 1/15/2026 at 2:51 PM, stringer bell said:

Two years and $12.8M, a decent payday for Willi. Good for him.

I would expect he will put up good offensive numbers playing half of his games in Colorado. 

But he'll have a much tougher time chucking the ball out of the stadium in dead center in frustration after forgetting how many outs there were earlier in the inning (this actually happened)

[bean5302]

Castro has the tools to excel at 3B. If the Rockies choose to deploy him there consistently, I believe Castro will become an asset at the position. It's a nice contract given how last year ended up.