The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly still on the hunt for a starting pitcher. After missing out on Garrett Crochet, they’ve expressed interest in free agent Nick Pivetta. However, this move raises eyebrows, as signing Pivetta would require giving up draft compensation due to his rejection of a qualifying offer.
Meanwhile, the Reds aren’t the only team aiming to strengthen their rotation this offseason. The Boston Red Sox, who recently traded for Crochet, also signed former Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler to a one-year deal last week. Interestingly, before securing Buehler, Boston had their sights set on another pitcher.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Red Sox explored trading for former Reds ace Luis Castillo, now with the Seattle Mariners. Castillo has been the subject of trade rumors, with Seattle reportedly eager to enhance their lineup. If the Reds are serious about adding another starter, perhaps Nick Krall should consider reaching out to Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto.
Reds should take advantage of Mariners’ desperation and trade for Luis Castillo
Castillo was beloved by Reds fans, and for good reason. During his time in Cincinnati, he recorded a 3.62 ERA, struck out 860 batters, and earned two All-Star selections. In 2022, he was traded to the Mariners in a deal that brought Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo to the Reds. Seattle then signed Castillo to a five-year, $108 million contract extension — a bargain by today’s standards.
According to Feinsand’s report, the Mariners were exploring trade talks with Boston, targeting first baseman Triston Casas. Negotiations stalled, however, when Seattle declined to take on Masataka Yoshida’s contract, which has $55.8 million remaining over three years.
Could a trade package featuring Reds slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand entice the Mariners to send Castillo back to Cincinnati? Encarnacion-Strand is similar to Casas in terms of age and production. While Casas has more Major League experience, he’s set to reach free agency a year earlier than Encarnacion-Strand.
Could the Reds build a trade package for Luis Castillo around Christian Encarnacion-Strand?
Casas’ left-handed swing aligns better with T-Mobile Park’s dimensions, but CES could still make an impact in what’s often considered a pitcher-friendly environment. Both players are natural first basemen who have dealt with injuries early in their careers.
Free agent hitters are often hesitant to join the Mariners, as Seattle has a reputation for stifling offensive production. Similarly, the Reds face challenges in attracting free agent pitchers to the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. As a result, the Mariners are more likely to enhance their lineup through trades rather than free agency.
While the Reds already have plenty of starting pitchers on their roster, pitching depth is always valuable. Acquiring Castillo — who is under contract through at least 2027 — could give them the flexibility to trade a young arm, like Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Chase Burns, or Rhett Lowder, in exchange for an outfield bat.
Though Castillo’s recent performance was below his usual standards, his fastball remains one of the most dominant in the game. If improving the rotation is a priority, the Reds should pivot from targeting Pivetta to pursuing Castillo, capitalizing on the Mariners’ urgency this offseason.
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