Rusney Castillo Makes Appearance At Fenway As Sox Make Signing Official
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – The Red Sox made it official Saturday afternoon: They've signed Cuban defector Rusney Castillo to a seven-year Major League contract beginning this year and continuing through 2020.
Castillo appeared at Fenway Park before Saturday's game with the Seattle Mariners wearing Boston Red Sox shorts and a T-shirt. He chatted with the Mariners' Robinson Cano on the field before the game.
The Sox did not reveal details of Castillo's contract but multiple media reports have said the seven-year deal is for $72.5 million.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said Saturday that Castillo was going through the final stages of an exam and the completion of "administrative" paperwork. He added he'd take more questions regarding the possible signing after the game.
"I talked to him this morning. He's glad to be here and glad the process has moved along to this point and excited to get started — when that day comes," Farrell said. "There's still some things to work through. He's obviously a strong athlete, a shorter version to (Yasiel) Puig. What that means performance wise, we'll see. We're confident in the athleticism and the overall strength."
In their announcement of the Castillo signing, the Red Sox said he will report to the Fenway South facility in Fort Myers, Fla. to resume baseball activities.
The 27-year-old Castillo hit .324 in 2011 and .332 in 2012, during his best two years in Cuba.
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