Dodgers Linked to $108 Million All-Star Pitcher in Potential Blockbuster Trade
Three-time All-Star starter Luis Castillo may be up for trade this offseason, but the Dodgers aren’t seen as frontrunners for the Dominican pitcher.
The Seattle Mariners are urgently looking to strengthen their infield. To address their infield challenges, they might contemplate trading away some pitchers from their rotation, which is arguably the best in Major League Baseball. The Mariners have five reliable starters, featuring four younger arms alongside the seasoned Castillo, who has eight years of experience.
Castillo is viewed as the primary pitcher the Mariners would consider moving. However, they would likely expect a team to provide both an infielder and a starting pitcher to fill the gap left by Castillo.
Despite having signed two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to a five-year deal, the Dodgers might still seek to enhance their rotation. Acquiring Castillo could be a sound financial move since he is owed just $ 68.25 million over the next three years.
The Dodgers could offer second baseman Gavin Lux as a potential infielder. He would likely share second base duties with Dylan Moore, the Mariners’ 2024 American League Gold Glove winner, who can also play shortstop.
Lux missed all of the 2023 season while recovering from ACL surgery. Upon his return in 2024, he initially struggled at the plate but turned things around in the second half, posting a slash line of .304/.390/.508 and helping the Dodgers secure the National League West title.
“Gavin Lux could potentially serve as a viable platoon partner for Moore at second base, but even if the Dodgers included a young starter like Landon Knack with Lux, it seems improbable that such a package would persuade the Mariners to trade Castillo,” Deeds noted.
During the regular season, Knack recorded a 3-5 record with a 3.65 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and a 1.10 WHIP. In the Dodgers’ World Series campaign, he was used in the bullpen but struggled in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, conceding five of the Mets’ seven runs.
While Lux and Knack had solid seasons for the Dodgers, it appears unlikely they would be sufficient for the Mariners to part with Castillo. As a result, Deeds considers them long shots in the pursuit of him
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