The Rockies have made a move to shore up their roster flexibility, agreeing to a two-year, $12.8 million deal with utility man Willi Castro. The 29-year-old switch-hitter brings versatility, speed, and recent history of solid production - all qualities Colorado desperately needs as they try to climb out of a rebuild that’s seen them lose 100-plus games in three straight seasons.
A Swiss Army Knife with Value
Castro isn’t a flashy name, but he’s exactly the kind of player who quietly makes a roster better. Over the past three seasons, he’s carved out a role as one of the more dependable utility players in the league - not just in name, but in execution.
He’s played every position except catcher and first base, and he’s done it with competence. That kind of defensive flexibility is gold for a team like the Rockies, who are still figuring out what they have in a number of young players.
Offensively, Castro’s numbers don’t leap off the page, but they’re plenty useful. In 2023, he hit .257/.339/.411 with nine homers and 33 stolen bases, good for a 107 wRC+ - meaning he was seven percent better than league average at the plate. He followed that up with a near-identical 2024 campaign: .247/.331/.385, 106 wRC+, 14 steals, and a 2.9 fWAR - a slight uptick in value over the previous year.
That kind of consistency is hard to find, especially from someone who can give you solid innings all over the diamond.
A Tale of Two Halves
Castro’s 2024 season was humming along nicely until the trade deadline. He was producing at a similar clip to his Minnesota days - .245/.335/.407 with a 109 wRC+ through 86 games - when the Twins, slipping out of contention, flipped him to the Cubs for a pair of minor league arms.
That’s when things went south.
In Chicago, Castro’s bat went ice-cold. He hit just .170/.245/.240 in 110 plate appearances, and his playing time dwindled down the stretch.
A .222 BABIP didn’t help, but the Cubs clearly lost confidence, starting him in just two of their final 11 regular season games. He made two postseason appearances but didn’t get a single plate appearance.
The timing of the slump wasn’t ideal - Castro was heading into free agency - but teams clearly looked past the small sample size and focused on the bigger picture: a three-year stretch of solid, above-average production from a player who can fill just about any hole on the field.
Why the Rockies Make Sense
For Colorado, this is a smart, low-risk move. They’re not in win-now mode - not even close - but they need players who can bridge the gap between now and whenever their next competitive window opens.
Castro fits that bill. He can start all over the field, mentor younger players, and potentially become a trade chip come July if he bounces back to form.
The Rockies have been down this road before. Last offseason, they brought in Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer on one-year deals to try to stabilize the roster.
Neither move paid off. Estrada was hurt most of the year and struggled when healthy.
Farmer stayed on the field but posted a sub-.700 OPS.
Castro brings a higher floor than either of those two. Even in a down second half, his defensive value and base-running kept him from being a net negative. And if he hits like he did in Minnesota, he could be a sneaky valuable piece - both on the field and on the trade market.
Where Does He Fit?
That’s the beauty of having someone like Castro - he fits everywhere. But the Rockies’ current roster does offer some clues.
Ezequiel Tovar has shortstop locked down, but the rest of the infield is wide open. Adael Amador could get a look at second base, but he’s still finding his footing in the majors.
Kyle Karros and Tyler Freeman are also options, though both are coming off underwhelming seasons. Ryan Ritter is another name in the mix, but he hasn’t hit much in his limited big-league time.
In the outfield, there’s a logjam of young, unproven talent: Brenton Doyle, Jake McCarthy, Mickey Moniak, Jordan Beck. Castro could easily slot in as a fourth outfielder or even start if one of those guys falters or gets hurt.
Expect his role to evolve throughout the year. He’ll likely move around depending on who’s hot, who’s hurt, and who’s earned more playing time. That’s the kind of flexibility that’s invaluable during a rebuild.
Looking Ahead
If Castro returns to form, don’t be surprised if he’s flipped again at the deadline. The Rockies aren’t building around 30-year-old utility players, but they are trying to build a more competent, competitive roster - and Castro helps them do that.
Colorado’s payroll now sits around $110 million, just below last year’s $124 million mark. They’ve already added Michael Lorenzen to the rotation and may not be done yet. General manager Josh Byrnes has hinted at adding more veterans, particularly on the mound, and there’s still room for another starter or bullpen arm.
But for now, Willi Castro gives them something they’ve sorely lacked: a proven, versatile contributor who can help steady the ship - and maybe bring back a prospect or two down the line.