Yankees Miss Out on Luis Castillo
The Mariners made an audacious move just days before the Trade Deadline, acquiring Reds right-hander Luis Castillo, who was widely regarded as the best available pitcher ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Shortstops The return package includes Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo, the Mariners’ No. 1 and 3 prospects, respectively, as well as right-hander Levi Stoudt, the Mariners’ No. 5 prospect, and unranked pitcher Andrew Moore.
Castillo was signed by the Mariners after being rejected by several other teams. A dozen teams made bids for the right-hander, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, with the Yankees “close,” according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
Castillo, widely regarded as the best available pitcher on the trade market this year, has a 4-4 record with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts. He appeared in his second career All-Star game earlier this month in Los Angeles.
Castillo, 29, had spent his entire career with Cincinnati, compiling a 3.62 ERA in 137 career starts over six seasons. He is under the team’s control until the 2023 season.
The Mariners, who currently hold the second AL Wild Card spot, have a starting rotation with a 3.63 ERA, which ranks sixth in the Majors – but they could use some depth to relieve some of their younger starters.
Castillo joins fellow veterans Robbie Ray (the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner), Marco Gonzales (3.66 ERA this season), and Chris Flexen in the rotation (3.66 ERA in 50 starts over the last two seasons).
Castillo made one postseason appearance for the Reds in addition to his 137 career regular-season starts. In Game 2 of the 2020 NL Wild Card Series against the Braves, the righty allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven batters.
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