Boston is not a baseball backwater and every nuance, injury, questionable play in spring training is analyzed to the nth degree. Boston fans will not tolerate laziness, indifference, and sloppy play since that will send a player to a special verbal purgatory be it Fenway Park or McCoy Stadium.
Rusney Castillo has been called out rather pointedly by manager John Farrell for his abuse of acceptable baseball standards. The 29-year-old Castillo has shown the occasional talent that now has Boston on the fiscal hook for $46 Million through 2020. Castillo’s contract is unmovable and even if he shreds the International League the Red Sox would be fortunate to get ten cents on the dollar.
The options for Castillo are rather bleak to get an extended return to Boston. Lights out this season at Pawtucket could open up a role as the fourth outfielder in 2018. A Castillo superlative season at Triple-A could make Jackie Bradley available for a trade. If Ebola sweeps through the clubhouse Boston may have a need for Castillo.
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What is certain is the unforgiving memories of Boston fans regarding the differences displayed by Castillo this spring. That is an almost unforgivable sin, so Pawtucket fans can enjoy watching the most expensive twosome in minor league baseball for 2017 – Castillo and Craig.