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Boston Red Sox: Rusney Castillo finally finds an opportunity

By David Hill

FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Rusney Castillo #38 of the Boston Red Sox bats during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 23, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox won 8-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Rusney Castillo #38 of the Boston Red Sox bats during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 23, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox won 8-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo is finally getting an opportunity to resurrect his career as he has signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Once upon a time, Rusney Castillo was one of the most coveted prospects ever to come out of Cuba. He was considered a future star, signing for a record $74.5 million with the Boston Red Sox. However, he quickly fell out of favor, outrighted off of the 40 man roster in 2016, and spent the remainder of his seven year deal in AAA.

Castillo now has a chance to resurrect his career. The one time top prospect has signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles as he looks to re-establish himself.

Castillo spent parts of three seasons in Boston, producing a .262/.301/.379 batting line over his 337 plate appearances, hitting seven homers and 12 doubles. He had impressed in a brief ten game stint in 2014, and was given a chance to become a key part of the lineup when he was recalled in May 2015.

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However, he was unable to capitalize on that opportunity. He received plenty of chances, with 289 plate appearances in 80 games, but simply did not hit, producing a .253/.288/.359 batting line with five homers and ten doubles. While he was an excellent defensive outfielder, Castillo was no longer a part of the Red Sox future.

Even if Boston wanted to bring Castillo back, they were unable to on the financial side. Due to a change in the wording in the 2016-17 Collective Bargaining Agreement, recalling Castillo would have put him back on the Red Sox’ books regarding the luxury tax. As he was outrighted from the 40 man roster prior to that, his salary did not count towards the tax, but this also left Castillo stuck in the minors.

As he will turn 34 years old in the middle of the upcoming season, it is highly unlikely that he will get another chance in the majors. That does not mean that Castillo cannot resurrect his career, as he could find a second act in Japan.

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Rusney Castillo did not pan out with the Boston Red Sox. He is getting a second chance in Japan, having signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

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