Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo is perhaps the most attractive pitcher on the trade market.
He has been available for years, but the Reds have always asked a lot in return.
This year, seeing how they are far from contending, they might finally decide on Castillo’s high trade value and execute a trade.
MLB insider Jon Heyman discussed the right-hander’s trade market and identified some potentially interested teams.
“‘This is right now the best pitcher on the market.’ @JonHeyman mentions the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Jays as the latest teams in on Reds’ All-Star SP Luis Castillo,” MLB Network tweeted, with a video of the insider discussing the situation.
"This is right now the best pitcher on the market."@JonHeyman mentions the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Jays as the latest teams in on Reds' All-Star SP Luis Castillo 👀#MLBCentral | @LaurenShehadi pic.twitter.com/DDj0sDksSe
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 22, 2022
In reality, the market offers two potentially game-changing starters: Castillo and Frankie Montas of the Oakland Athletics.
There are other potentially impactful pitchers, such as German Marquez of the Colorado Rockies and Castillo’s teammate Tyler Mahle; but Montas and Castillo can really help in a short playoff series.
Castillo Is Having An Impressive Season
The 29-year-old Castillo has made 13 starts this year, covering 78 innings with a rock-solid 2.77 ERA.
He has struck out 25.5% of the hitters he has faced, a solid number for a starter, and can provide length and reliability to a contender.
For his career, he has a good 3.62 ERA, and he has the right formula for success in any stadiums: strikeouts and ground balls.
He earned a lot of both, and his control and command are both above-average.
He seems like the kind of pitcher that can turn a playoff contender into a bonafide World Series candidate.
Will the Reds finally trade him, knowing that they probably won’t be competitive by the time of his last season with the club (next year)?
It remains to be seen.
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