The Yankees reignited the Hot Stove today, signing catcher Wilkin Castillo to a minor league deal. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports broke the news on Twitter:
yankees sign wilkin castillo to minor-league deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 7, 2017
The 32-year-old was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as an un-drafted free agent in 2002. In 2008, he was sent to the Cincinnati Reds as part of the Adam Dunn trade, but played in just 22 games from 2008-2009. He did, however, hit a combined .314 – 11 hits in 35 at-bats (#IAmWilkin, anyone? No? Okay).
Castillo hasn’t made it back to the Major Leagues since, and has spent time with the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. He also played in the Mexican Baseball League in 2013 and 2014.
Castillo will likely split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as extra catching depth. Don’t burn yourself, guys. The Hot Stove is lit.
