The New York Yankees look much better as a team at present. They have been very busy in the offseason as they needed to make some significant changes. And the Bronx Bombers were able to do exactly that. First of all, the NY side needed to take care of their weak outfield. It was not helping their offense really very well. Last season, the Bronx Bombers were the second-worst team in the league in terms of batting average. Hence, the front office made sure they brought in some reinforcements this winter. Finally, the Yankees managed to land the big fish, the best hitter in the league, Juan Soto. Along with the Dominican superstar came Trent Grisham to boost the outfield.
Prior to sealing the deal with the San Diego Padres for these trades, the Bronx Bombers received Alex Verdugo from their arch-rivals. However, in return for these outfielders, the Yankees had to sacrifice a lot of pitchers and catchers. That’s why they are still in the market looking for starting pitchers. With less than a month away from spring training, the NY side is making sure they’ve a perfect rotation. Recently, they cut shortstop Jeter Downs to make room for infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo.
Yankees Cut Jeter Downs For Diego Castillo
The career of Jeter Down with the Bronx Bombers did not even start yet. But it already looks like it is over. Moreover, the Yankees designated Downs for assignment Friday. It has been only a month since the NY side brought Downs to their roster. Previously, the Washington Nationals had waived the 25-year-old shortstop. But now the Pinstripes changed their minds as they felt it was necessary to bring Diego Castillo, the infielder. The New York Mets waived Castillo. Hence, the Yankees got both of these players off waivers. Later, they just needed the roster spot of Jeter Downs for Diego Castillo. Now, the Yankees have seven days to go before they have to either trade Downs or waive him. In the 2017 amateur draft, the Cincinnati Reds picked Jeter Downs as the overall 32nd pick.
Downs gets his name after the former captain of the Bronx, Derek Jeter. Moreover, Downs debuted in MLB with the Boston Red Sox in 2022. He was 6 for 39 and hit .154 with a home run and four RBIs. Then, the Nationals claimed him off the waivers in December 2022. In 2023, he was 2 for 5 with two stolen bases and one RBI. For Triple-A Rochester, Jeter Downs hit .236 with 18 RBIs, three home runs, and 11 steals. Derek Jeter met the young man a few years earlier. That’s why, before his MLB debut on June 22, 2022, the former Yankees captain wrote a congratulatory tweet. It said, “Congratulations and good luck as long as you are playing the Bombers.”
Is The New Infielder A Good Choice For The Bombers?
On December 22, Arizona Diamondbacks designated Diego Castillo for assignment. They wanted to open a roster spot for Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the outfielder. Then, the Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from Arizona on January 5. A week later, the Mets designated him.
As they needed a roster spot for the lefty Sean Manaea. The 26-year-old was a pinch hitter on July 31, as it was the only big game where he appeared last year. He debuted in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022. Castillo hit .206 with 11 home runs and 19 RBIs in 96 games.
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