The Chicago Cubs finally traded for their first position player about 30 minutes before the trade deadline. According to Jon Heyman, they have acquired utility man Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins for right-handers Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong.
Report: Twins Trade Willi Castro to Cubs
Gallagher is the Cubs’ No. 8 prospect who has pitched in mostly High-A ball this year. The 2024 sixth-round draft pick has pitched to a 3.43 ERA with a 4-6 record in 16 starts. Armstrong, a 13th-round draft pick in 2023, has a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts this year at Double-A. Castro has been on many radars for a few weeks now and became the top position player target for the Cubs after Eugenio Suárez was dealt to the Seattle Mariners. The Cubs felt they needed to address the third base position, and Castro is a guy who can play there.
The Cubs are reportedly acquiring UTIL Willi Castro in a trade with the Twins. pic.twitter.com/3grBq1xzk2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 31, 2025
What is Castro’s Worth?
Willi Castro is known primarily for being an incredible utility man. He can play most positions on the diamond and is a switch-hitter, which is great for a team to have. This year, he is slashing .245/.335/.407 along with 10 home runs. These aren’t the most appealing numbers, but he has proven to be consistent throughout his whole career. Additionally, his Baseball Savant page doesn’t look the greatest, with quite a few below-average stats. However, Castro excels at hitting lefties, especially this year, as he has an .837 OPS against them. Castro’s veteran presence will be great for the clubhouse, and his positional versatility will be a huge help. This will give Craig Counsell the ability to give more guys rest days and play guys in their best positions.
Overall, Castro isn’t going to have as big an impact as Suárez might have, but he also won’t cost as much. A position player who can play third base was a big want for this deadline, so Willi Castro is a solid get for the Cubs. And for the price they got him at, he should be worth it even for a one-year rental.
Main Photo Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
