Minnesota Twins sign three-year deal with C Jason Castro

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Catcher Jason Castro needs a bigger wallet after getting a three-year, $24.5 million deal from the Minnesota Twins.

The deal was first reported last week but became official Wednesday. Castro, 29, hit .210 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 113 games last year. He owned a career .232 batting average in six big-league seasons and was an All-Star in 2013 for the Houston Astros.

"Catching was a focus of ours and Jason was a target early on, and not just from a player's standpoint," Twins head of baseball operations Derek Falvey said in a release. "A lot has been made about his defense, but we really look into the background of these guys. It's important for the culture of our team. He checked every box and then some."

Castro steps in for free agent catcher Kurt Suzuki.

"They laid out their vision," Castro told Twins.com. "Having played against the Twins the last few years, I know this organization is capable of great things. There's some young players mixed with veterans that can make a special group."