The Boston Red Sox don’t seem to be done exploring the pitching market, even after acquiring All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet on Wednesday.
Boston’s rumored to have an eye on Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo, and although $72 million remains on the 32-year-old’s contract, the Red Sox shouldn’t expect pursuing a trade with the American League West club as a cakewalk. Seattle, in fact, doesn’t intend on letting go of Castillo easily.
Castillo, if traded, is expected to generate a return that’ll help improve the Mariners for next season rather than help the franchise get rid of his remaining salary, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Castillo went 11-12 with a 3.64 ERA last season with Seattle, making 30 starts and logging 175 1/3 innings thrown. The complicating factor, however, comes in the form of Castillo’s no-trade clause, which forces the Mariners to look more deeply into possible trade suitors before any agreement is reached.
The Red Sox, although missing out on free agents such as Blake Snell and Max Fried, have demonstrated a willingness to pay steep prices. They packaged prospects Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery, along with two others, to land Crochet from the Chicago White Sox during MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, which could be the start. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow isn’t afraid to parlay with Boston’s trade chips if the organization deems the deal conducive for the team’s future.
Adding Castillo to the mix of a rotation currently featuring Crochet, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford will only help manager Alex Cora’s job of finalizing the roster in time for Opening Day. Castillo’s 121 starts made in the past four seasons ranks 11th among all big league pitchers.
Castillo also held opponents to a .238 batting average and like Gioltio, is among the most durable pitchers in all of baseball. He’s totaled under 25 appearances in a single season just twice throughout his eight-year career and has shown flashes of dominance in the postseason — owning a 1.83 ERA across three career playoff showings.
The Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles are among others also interested in striking a deal with the Mariners for Castillo.
