MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have spent the offseason looking to improve offensively and defensively. On Friday, they made one acquisition that addresses both needs.
Minnesota received second baseman Luis Castillo in a trade from the cost-cutting Marlins in exchange for pitching prospects Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. The deal came as club executives prepare to attend the Winter Meetings next week in Dallas.
Castillo batted .301 with four homers and 30 RBIs in 122 games during the 2005 season. The 30-year-old switch-hitter is a lifetime .293 hitter since breaking into the Major Leagues with the Marlins in 1996.
Florida is attempting to slash its payroll for next season and has already dealt pitcher Josh Beckett to the Red Sox and slugger Carlos Delgado to the Mets last week. Castillo's 2006 salary of $5 million with a $5.75 club option for 2007 appears to fit Minnesota's payroll, which is expected to approach $60 million next season.
After the Twins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001 while suffering fundamental breakdowns throughout their lineup, Twins general manager Terry Ryan and manager Ron Gardenhire promised to make changes.
Castillo, a National League All-Star in 2002-03 and 2005, brings a reputation for solid hitting and getting on base. He owned a .391 on-base percentage last season and is at .370 lifetime. The native of the Dominican Republic gained national attention with his 35-game hitting streak in 2002. It was the longest streak in the Majors since 1987 until Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins eclipsed it this past season.
Second base was a problem area for the Twins in 2005 with several players being used at the position, none with any great success. One trade backfired when former All-Star Bret Boone was acquired from Seattle in July and struggled with faded skills. Boone was released after just three weeks.
A three-time NL Gold Glove winner, including in 2005, Castillo should also strengthen the club defensively.
Bowyer, a 24-year-old hard-throwing right-handed reliever, was 4-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 23 saves in 59 games for Triple-A Rochester in 2005. He earned his first big league callup in September after rosters expanded and went 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in eight games.
Tyler was 7-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 23 starts for Class A Fort Myers. The Twins may not be done making improvements. The club is still seeking to fill spots at third base and designated hitter and could address both concerns in Dallas
Minnesota received second baseman Luis Castillo in a trade from the cost-cutting Marlins in exchange for pitching prospects Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. The deal came as club executives prepare to attend the Winter Meetings next week in Dallas.
Castillo batted .301 with four homers and 30 RBIs in 122 games during the 2005 season. The 30-year-old switch-hitter is a lifetime .293 hitter since breaking into the Major Leagues with the Marlins in 1996.
Florida is attempting to slash its payroll for next season and has already dealt pitcher Josh Beckett to the Red Sox and slugger Carlos Delgado to the Mets last week. Castillo's 2006 salary of $5 million with a $5.75 club option for 2007 appears to fit Minnesota's payroll, which is expected to approach $60 million next season.
After the Twins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001 while suffering fundamental breakdowns throughout their lineup, Twins general manager Terry Ryan and manager Ron Gardenhire promised to make changes.
Castillo, a National League All-Star in 2002-03 and 2005, brings a reputation for solid hitting and getting on base. He owned a .391 on-base percentage last season and is at .370 lifetime. The native of the Dominican Republic gained national attention with his 35-game hitting streak in 2002. It was the longest streak in the Majors since 1987 until Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins eclipsed it this past season.
Second base was a problem area for the Twins in 2005 with several players being used at the position, none with any great success. One trade backfired when former All-Star Bret Boone was acquired from Seattle in July and struggled with faded skills. Boone was released after just three weeks.
A three-time NL Gold Glove winner, including in 2005, Castillo should also strengthen the club defensively.
Bowyer, a 24-year-old hard-throwing right-handed reliever, was 4-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 23 saves in 59 games for Triple-A Rochester in 2005. He earned his first big league callup in September after rosters expanded and went 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in eight games.
Tyler was 7-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 23 starts for Class A Fort Myers. The Twins may not be done making improvements. The club is still seeking to fill spots at third base and designated hitter and could address both concerns in Dallas
