BREAKING: Twins trade star utility man Willi Castro to Chicago Cubs
The Minnesota Twins have made their fifth trade of the day by dealing star utility man Willi Castro to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospects, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Castro joins Carlos Correa, Danny Coulombe, Brock Stewart and Harrison Bader on the list of players who have been traded by the Twins today.
Willi Castro to Cubs for prospects
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025
In exchange, the Twins have received Double-A right-handed pitchers Sam Armstrong and Ryan Gallagher, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
Cubs sending Double-A pitchers Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong back to Minnesota in the deal for Castro.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 31, 2025
Castro, who joined the Twins in 2023, earned an All-Star selection last season and made a case for making the All-Star team this year as well. He has accrued 0.5 bWAR this year while posting a .245/.335/.407 slash line with 10 home runs, 15 doubles and 27 RBIs.
Castro, who has a career .706 OPS over parts of seven seasons, gives the Cubs much-needed versatility. He can play above-average defense at corner outfield and third and second base, and can provide innings at shortstop, first base and center field if needed.
Who are right-handed pitchers Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong, whom the Twins received from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for utility man Willi Castro?
Gallagher ranked as the Cubs' No. 8 prospect, while Armstrong was outside Chicago's list of top-30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline.
Gallagher, 22, has a fastball in the low to mid-90s that he can command well. He can also throw an upper-70s changeup that frequently misses bats. He has a good slider and can throw a curveball as well.
Since being promoted to Double-A, Gallagher has managed a 1.59 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings over two starts.
Armstrong, 24, throws a riding fastball, a low-80s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. He tends to use his curveball more than his changeup, and mainly relies on his fastball.
In 19 games with Double-A Knoxville this season, Armstrong has posted a 4.62 ERA with 72 strikeouts across 89 2/3 innings.
Now, the Twins have plenty of much-needed starting pitching depth.