As the MLB trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, Aug. 2, the consensus around baseball is that the Cincinnati Reds will look to move Luis Castillo.
The right-hander arguably is the best starting pitcher on the market and should command a haul. Multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, have been linked to him in recent weeks.
In addition to being an elite pitcher, Castillo is an attractive trade candidate due to being under team control via a final year of salary arbitration through the 2023 season.
While his market is still developing, the Dodgers and New York Yankees are viewed as the early favorites to acquire Castillo, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
The Yankees love Luis Castillo and have been trying to acquire him off and on for a couple of years, and word is the Yankees and Dodgers are best-positioned to land the All-Star right-hander, who’s likely the best starter on the market.
With Walker Buehler currently sidelined and Andrew Heaney just off the 15-day injured list, it’s easy to see why the Dodgers would at least explore the possibility of acquiring a high-end starting pitcher like Castillo.
As for the Yankees, they recently lost Luis Severino the IL with a low-grade lat strain, so it also makes sense for them to potentially bolster their rotation.
Both teams are flush with plenty of prospect capital to get a deal done for Castillo, and it will be interesting to see if either is willing to meet the Reds’ asking price.
Castillo, who recently earned his second career All-Star selection, is 3-4 with a 2.77 ERA, 3.03 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 78 innings pitched this season (13 starts).
How a Luis Castillo trade would impact Dodgers
On the surface, the Dodgers starting rotation should continue to flourish without the possible addition of Castillo. Buehler is expected to return later this season and Dustin May should arrive ahead of him.
However, adding Castillo to a strong group would provide some insurance in the event Buehler or May are delayed or struggle, and also make for more flexibility. The Dodgers have already demonstrated a willingness — if not preference — to shift May into the bullpen come the playoffs.
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