Twins, Castro finalize 3-year deal

The Minnesota Twins officially signed catcher Jason Castro to a three-year, $24.5-million deal Wednesday.

With the free-agent market for catchers particularly slim this offseason, Castro was able to net a big contract before the winter meetings.

Castro is expected to take over starting duties, replacing free agent Kurt Suzuki. Last season, the 29-year-old slashed .210/.307/.377 with 11 home runs, appearing in 113 games.

His best season was in 2013 when he belted 18 homers and ripped 35 doubles in 120 games and was named an All-Star.

At the very least, Castro should be an upgrade over what the Twins had behind the plate. Last season, Minnesota catchers slashed a combined .249/.295/.378 with only 11 homers.

Castro had spent his entire six-year major-league career with the Houston Astros.