Nationals Closing in on Minor-League Deal With Catcher Welington Castillo
The Washington Nationals made a huge move this offseason by re-signing homegrown superstar Stephen Strasburg.
Yet, a championship team needs to make smaller moves as well to stay competitive. The Nationals are reportedly making such a move by signing veteran backstop Welington Castillo.
Per source, C Welington Castillo is moving towards a minor-league deal with Nationals, which will include a non-roster invitation to big-league camp.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 24, 2020
Castillo spent 2019 with the Chicago White Sox and has been in the league since 2010. Assuming the deal becomes official, Washington will be his sixth MLB team, should he crack the major-league roster. He has a career WAR of 12.2 in 10 seasons.
The veteran joins the organization behind both Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki on the depth chart. Having someone like Castillo in the minors to work with a young pitching staff could be beneficial.
OK, just to clear this up, here is the Nationals' current catching depth chart:
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) January 24, 2020
MLB: Kurt Suzuki, Yan Gomes
On 40-man roster: Tres Barrera, Raudy Read
Minor league contract: Welington Castillo
No longer in organization: Spencer Kieboom
Castillo could also be earning a tryout for other teams as well. He can show off his abilities in Spring Training and end up landing a backup job elsewhere if the Nationals decide he won't end up being a good fit.
Though crazy things happen every MLB season and Castillo could be needed in Washington D.C. at some point in 2020.