Club says there is interest around league in 21-year-old lefty
01:12 AM CDT on Sunday, June 25, 2006
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
DENVER – Unable to balance having an unproven reliever in the bullpen of a team with division championship aspirations, the Rangers will try to extract some help from Fabio Castro in another manner.
They will try to deal the 21-year-old left-hander.
On Saturday, the team designated Castro for assignment, effectively ending his time with the Rangers. The club has 10 days to trade him. If it can't trade him, he'll be placed on waivers, and if he clears waivers, he would have to be offered back to his original club, the Chicago White Sox, before the Rangers could send him to the minors. Castro is subject to Rule 5 draft guidelines.
The Rangers don't expect the process to get to the second step. Assistant general manager Thad Levine, who is traveling with the club, said the Rangers have already received interest in him.
"We think we'll be able to find a home for him in the major leagues," Levine said. "We're realistic about what type of piece we'll get back. We want to get back somebody who can help our club, whether it's this year or in the future. We want to get somebody with Fabio's potential."
The team that acquires Castro must keep him on the roster for at least 52 more days this season to satisfy the Rule 5 guidelines. The acquiring club will get the benefit of the 38 days he served with the Rangers.