Astros Rumors: Jason Castro would be strong catching depth for Houston

The Houston Astros are leaving no stone unturned this winter, and are reportedly setting their sights on free-agent catcher Jason Castro.

The Houston Astros are among the teams expressing interest in free-agent catcher Jason Castro, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, who also notes that the starting pitching and catching markets are becoming increasingly strong.

Castro, of course, played with the Astros from 2010-2016 and in six seasons with the team, slashed .232/.309/.390 with 62 home runs and 212 RBI. In the five seasons since, Castro has played for the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels, failing to hit over .229 with either team, most recently hitting 13 home runs in 79 games with the Twins in 2019.

There is no indication that a deal is imminent, but if Castro does end up in Houston, it is highly unlikely that he becomes the team’s starting catcher. Martin Maldonado is entrenched as the primary option behind the plate, but Castro would provide a dependable secondary option who also hits left-handed.

It continues a trend that rivals in contact with the Astros have repeated since the beginning of the offseason: that general manager James Click is leaving no stone unturned looking for additions to his roster. The team remains in contact with free agents such as Jackie Bradley Jr. and Michael Brantley as they look to remake their outfield, though there are no indications a deal is close.

And it has now extended to the catching market as the team looks for a quality option behind Maldonado. The Astros will not pursue JT Realmuto or any other of the top free agents who are attached to the qualifying offer since signing them would result in the loss of a draft pick. It is why Castro makes a ton of sense and why if the price is right, is something that Click and the front office should pull the trigger on.