Rusney Castillo is sifting through offers from MLB teams, but hasn’t set a timetable for when he will sign a free-agent contract.
Castillo, a Cuban refugee, completed private workouts last Friday when he worked out for the Mariners. He has displayed his tools to the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Tigers and Cubs in private workouts after holding a showcase for 28 teams in Miami.
According to several teams with interest in the 27-year-old, who hasn’t played an organized game in a year, the Phillies are the favorite. However, that isn’t a consensus.
Most teams like the 5-foot-9, 205-pounder as an outfielder, but the Yankees also think he might be able to play second base. They could have a need there next season if Martin Prado has to play right field or third base.
Castillo, who is being represented by Roc Nation, desires to be play in the big leagues this year. In order to do that, he likely needs to sign with a team shortly and play in minor league games.
What he is worth remains a question. Jose Abreu, the runaway favorite in the AL Rookie of the Year race, got six years and $68 million from the White Sox last offseason. The Dodgers gave Yasiel Puig seven years at $42 million, and the A’s signed Yoenis Cespedes, since dealt to the Red Sox, for four years and $36 million.
Industry experts believe those contracts are undervalued and feel Castillo could get in the $40 million to $55 million range.
David Robertson has converted 21 straight save chances, but has a ways to go to match the all-time Yankees record of 36, set by Mariano Rivera in 2009. Rivera converted 20 or more straight saves eight times.
Robertson needs one more strikeout to pass David Cone as the fastest Yankee hurler to get to 500 strikeouts. Robertson has 375 2/3 innings. Cone needed 486 1/3 innings to reach that mark.
Robertson, who has 71 Ks in 46 2/3 innings, hasn’t posted a strikeout in his past three appearances. It’s only the fifth time in Robertson’s career he has gone that long without a strikeout.
Masahiro Tanaka was scheduled to play catch at Yankee Stadium on Monday in preparation for a second mound session sometime this week, when he will be asked to spin some breaking pitches. On Saturday, in his first time on a mound since July 8, when he suffered a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, Tanaka threw only fastballs during the 25-pitch exercises.