Report: Angels have checked in on Castro

Though improving behind the plate isn't the Los Angeles Angels' top offseason priority, the club has reportedly checked in on free agent and one-time All-Star Jason Castro, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Their level of interest remains unclear, though, and the Angels consider some of their other needs to be more pressing.

Castro, who appears increasingly unlikely to return to Houston following the club's recent acquisition of Brian McCann, has drawn considerable interest this offseason. On Friday, it was reported that the Tampa Bay Rays had made an initial offer to the 29-year-old veteran, and the Atlanta Braves are considered to be serious bidders for Castro, as well.

Castro, however, hasn't been able over the last three years to replicate the success of his breakout 2013 campaign, when he put up 4.4 WAR and smashed 18 homers with an .835 OPS. Since then, the California native ranks 19th among MLB catchers with 4.2 WAR, hitting .215/.291/.369 (85 wRC+) with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate over his last 343 games.

In 2016, Castro logged just 1.1 WAR in 113 games for Houston, posting a .684 OPS with 11 homers while striking out more often (32.7 percent) than any other catcher with at least 300 plate appearances.

Still, the Angels received less offensive production from their catchers last season than all but four American League clubs, as Carlos Perez, Jett Bandy, Geovany Soto, and Juan Graterol combined to hit .230/.271/.377 with 17 homers in 611 plate appearances.