As first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Welington Castillo, the veteran catcher, has signed with the Chicago White Sox. The deal is for two years and is worth $15 million with a club option in 2020. The team has confirmed the deal.
The #WhiteSox have agreed to terms with catcher Welington Castillo on a two-year, $15-million contract, which includes a club option for 2020. pic.twitter.com/qId7IUzwnG
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 1, 2017
Welington Castillo Signs With White Sox
Castillo’s Career Profile
Signed as a amateur free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 2004, he waited six years before making his MLB debut. Castillo only played in seven games in his rookie year, but hit a .300 batting average with one home run and five RBI. Castillo got the starting catcher for the Cubs in 2014. In that season, Castillo hit a .237 batting average with 13 home runs and 46 RBI. During his six years with the Cubs, Castillo hit a .252 batting average with 29 home runs and 110 RBI. In 2015, Castillo was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher Yoervis Medina.
After spending not even a month with Seattle, playing only six games, Castillo was traded again, along with pitcher Dominic Leone, right fielder Gabby Guerrero, and shortstop Jack Reinheimer, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In exchange, the Diamondbacks sent outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo and pitcher Vidal Nuno to Seattle. Castillo spent two years in Arizona, hitting .261 with 31 home runs and 118 RBI. After his second year in Arizona, Castillo signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $6 million contract. In his career, Castillo is hitting .252 with 80 home runs and 283 RBI.
The Impact Of The Signing
The White Sox gain the first new player for new manager Rick Renteria to mold into his system. The Orioles lose someone who more than earned his contract with his .282 batting average. Now, Castillo will head to the other side of Chicago and see if he can help the struggling White Sox.
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