Among the season’s most enjoyable surprises and entertaining tales was Willi Costar in 2023. The 25-year-old utility player, who was claimed off waivers by Detroit, arrived in Minnesota with low expectations. But as the Twins’ injuries and uncertainty increased, the group needed a leader. Castro did. He contributed value at the plate, in the field, and most notably on the bases, where he swiped 33 bags, finishing tied for sixth on the team in bWAR (2.6).Castro played every position on the field in 2023, although he primarily used his skills at center field (261 innings), left field (295 innings), and third base (219 innings). He was fourth on the team in plate appearances and played in 124 games, despite never being considered the starter anywhere. Castro was called upon by the team to log innings because Trevor Larnach and José Miranda were not performing up to par and Royce Lewis was still recovering from an ACL tear from the previous season. In 2024, with a new roster in place, how will Castro’s role change?Michael A. Taylor, who relieved former Platinum Glove winner Byron Buxton when his knee issues prevented him from playing, is the only center fielder the Twins currently have. Although Buxton says he’s ready to return to the pastures in 2024, it’s hard to say when he will be available due to his lengthy list of injury concerns. If Buxton could play center for 60–80 games, he would be a huge success. We shouldn’t hold ourselves to the possibility that he comes back and creates a season unlike anything Twins Territory has ever seen, but that is the possibility.
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