Yankees officially lose versatile, recently-DFA'd infielder to NL contender

The first time the New York Yankees said a formal goodbye to Diego Castillo, they were shipping him off as Hoy Park's partner in the Clay Holmes trade, which was redefined from "minor move" to "here's your closer" in a matter of months.

The second time was much more straightforward. Over the past two weeks, the Yankees have cycled through several names at the edges of their 40-man roster. Once upon a time, they had enough room to absorb Jorbit Vivas and help the Dodgers clear room for their major acquisitions. Now? They do not; Jeter Downs had to go for Castillo to be claimed, then Castillo was sent packing when it came time to add Matt Gage.

In less than a week, GAGE is already GONE (Caleb Ferguson trade), while DOWNS is BACK after clearing waivers. Castillo? He's a Philadelphia Phillie, and it's now his job and his alone to make sure the Phils never again brick Games 6 and 7 of a postseason series at home with the World Series on the line.

Yankees lose Diego Castillo (again) to Philadelphia Phillies

Diego Castillo was not poised to be the difference maker in this Yankees' offseason. Honestly, he wouldn't have even been the most impactful Diego Castillo they could've added; the ex-Rays reliever would fill a bigger need than a versatile infielder.

But this Castillo, once upon a time a Yankee farmhand and also someone who once drilled 11 homers for the 2022 Pirates, would've had the chance to claim a super-utility role on a Yankees club that technically has a vacancy there. As of this moment, the incumbent for the position is Oswaldo Cabrera. If the Yankees want to be more intentional with their bench instead of just cramming struggling young players there, they could pursue the Tony Kemp rumors.

But it won't be Castillo, who'll be relieving Bryson Stott in plenty of split-squad games this spring. It's a shame his "era" in pinstripes couldn't at least have lasted until position players reported to camp.