Enjoy Retirement, Jason Castro

[Matt Braun]

The longtime backstop took to Twitter on Friday, announcing the end of his 12-year MLB career.

Image courtesy of Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

 

Not all positions include glory. While shortstops can dive their way into our hearts, and outfielders can sprint into highlight reels, the catcher crouches behind the plate, methodically managing the game for 27 outs daily. It’s a professional job that requires a professional temperament. Jason Castro had precisely that.

Castro represented a new shift in the Twins’ organization; the Stanford product signed a three-year, $24.5 million deal following the 2016 deal, signaling a move toward a meticulous appreciation for invisible benefits. It was the first deal Derek Falvey and Thad Levine consummated as Twins executives. Castro wasn’t going to hit—his only notable offensive season came in 2013—but he could work with pitchers, helping them become the best versions of themselves while earning little credit.

The team felt his impact immediately, losing nearly half a run off their team ERA with primarily the same pitching staff. Youngsters like Taylor Rogers and José Berríos enjoyed MLB success, while Ervin Santana captured Cy Young votes. The 2017 Twins were odd, but Castro’s steady presence helped guide the team through an unusual trade deadline into their first playoff game since Target Field’s inaugural season.

After an injury cut Castro’s 2018 short, he returned to play a role on a Twins team that looked different than before.

The 2019 Twins pounded the ball at a historic rate, and with breakout catcher Mitch Garver flourishing, Castro’s role on the team diminished. He caught just 78 games and hit for a modest .232/.332/.435 line that vanished in a sea of slugging. Still, his 13 homers helped the team edge out the Yankees in the home run race, netting them the record for homers hit in a season with a solo shot off a familiar face.

Castro transitioned to a journeyman following his stint with the Twins. The Angels and Padres enjoyed his services before he returned to Houston, playing in 100 games in his final two seasons, winning a World Series ring along the way.

While Castro doesn't have any plans yet for a post-playing career, David Laurila wrote that he would be open to an coaching position revolved around analytics, something that could bring him back into the fold in Minnesota. "I haven’t given much thought to what will be next," said Castro. "...but analytics are something I have a lot of experience with. I’ve learned a lot, starting from almost nothing, over the course of my career. There’s been a huge evolution, especially over the past six or seven years. So, we’ll see.”

View full article

[Richie the Rally Goat]

It would be awesome if the Twins could hire Castro as a coach/analyst. His experience would be a great asset in bringing context of the data to the players!

[Doctor Gast]

Castro was a great asset to the Twins in his time here. He even contributed a lot being in platoon with Garver. Would love another catcher like Castro to compliment what we have. Castro will be a great catching coach, not only the analytical part but also the other practical aspects. God bless you Jason! Hope to see you again in a Twins uniform. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Best wishes to Jason Castro. I hope to see him in a Twins uniform someday.

[Spth]

Um, don’t the Twins need a catcher?

[theBOMisthebomb]

He earned $50 MM + in his career for rather mediocre performances, so congratulations to him for that. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

1 hour ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

He earned $50 MM + in his career for rather mediocre performances, so congratulations to him for that. 

$50 million is on the low end of the MLB going rate for a mediocre career. I bet he'll have to pinch pennies in retirement.

[Johnny Ringo]

Anyone who played in the majors for 12 years did not, in any respect, have a mediocre career. That is an amazing career. 

[spanman2]

46 minutes ago, Johnny Ringo said:

Anyone who played in the majors for 12 years did not, in any respect, have a mediocre career. That is an amazing career. 

Totally agree you can't fake 12 years in the show.  I used to have heated debates with a former co-worker who thought Nick Punto was the worst player ever to see a MLB field.  If you play for 12+ years and are awful then the scouts/GM'S must all be idiots and know nothing about the game.  He had a very respectable career!

[Johnny Ringo]

57 minutes ago, spanman2 said:

Totally agree you can't fake 12 years in the show.  I used to have heated debates with a former co-worker who thought Nick Punto was the worst player ever to see a MLB field.  If you play for 12+ years and are awful then the scouts/GM'S must all be idiots and know nothing about the game.  He had a very respectable career!

Fun fact: Nick Punto had the exact same career WAR (15.5) as Twins' Hall of Famer Dan Gladden. The only difference? By all reports, Nick is a really nice guy.  

[theBOMisthebomb]

7 hours ago, spanman2 said:

Totally agree you can't fake 12 years in the show.  I used to have heated debates with a former co-worker who thought Nick Punto was the worst player ever to see a MLB field.  If you play for 12+ years and are awful then the scouts/GM'S must all be idiots and know nothing about the game.  He had a very respectable career!

me·di·o·cre

/ˌmēdēˈōkər/

adjective

of only moderate quality; not very good.

Castro played 12 seasons, that is true. That doesn't mean he wasn't mediocre: 

Career OPS+ 92

 Lifetime BA .227

Career WRC+ 93

 

Sure, he had a legitimate career. Not every player can be a star. Baseball Reference has Castro with only two seasons above 2 WAR. You can respect the overall career and still judge the results as mediocre.   

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

 

Career OPS+ 92

 Lifetime BA .227

Career WRC+ 93

Now compare his numbers to other catchers of this era 

Teams might pay for "not very good" performance a time or two, or three. Not twelve.

[theBOMisthebomb]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Now compare his numbers to other catchers of this era 

Teams might pay for "not very good" performance a time or two, or three. Not twelve.

My notes say average level wOBA for a catcher is .310 and Castro's career wOBA is .307. I guess if I'm shown stats where Castro is at least average to above average I could be convinced otherwise.