The Seattle Mariners appear to be leveraging their veteran ace, Luis Castillo, as a key trade asset this offseason, given the front office’s reluctance to part with younger rotation arms.
Trading Castillo would not only offer significant value to his new team but also potentially save Seattle over $100 million by removing his contract from their books. While initial trade talks with the Red Sox fell through, another rising contender in the AL East seems to be showing interest.
According to Jon Morosi on MLB Network, the Baltimore Orioles have revived discussions about acquiring Castillo. Baltimore’s need for an ace is clear after losing Corbin Burnes in free agency. While Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez show promise, the team still seeks additional rotation depth, as evidenced by their latest free agent signing.
With the Yankees and Red Sox making major moves to strengthen their rosters, the Orioles must act decisively to stay competitive in the division.
Mariners Rumors: Orioles emerge as Luis Castillo trade candidate
What might the Mariners get in return? That hasn’t been fully discussed yet, but with Baltimore’s impressive pool of controllable talent, Seattle has no shortage of appealing targets. However, the Mariners appear to have struggled to find a deal they view as fair value for Castillo, making it unlikely they’d land top prospects like Coby Mayo or Heston Kjerstad through this route.
Additionally, Seattle seems more focused on winning now rather than acquiring prospects who might take years to be big-league ready.
This situation could mark a turning point in the Mariners’ offseason strategy. If they manage to trade Castillo and gain a few strong pieces in return, they could use the freed-up payroll to sign a free agent—ideally a veteran infielder on a short-term deal. This approach would allow prospects like Colt Emerson and Cole Young the necessary time to develop before joining the major league roster.
If a trade doesn’t materialize, the Mariners have few assets left to deal. Apart from their starting pitching depth, Seattle doesn’t have many bats they can afford to move. Should they reach Opening Day without making significant additions, it could be a challenging season for Mariners fans. Hopefully, the Orioles will be open to parting with an offensive piece or two.
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