Seattle Mariners GM Offers Kind Words to Luis Castillo Amid Trade Rumors
In this story:
The Seattle Mariners in 2025 will have a chance to take advantage of what looks to be a wide-open American League West.
The Mariners boast arguably the best starting pitcher rotation in all of baseball. The rotation was the only one in baseball to have four pitchers start 30 or more games and led the league in quality starts.
Despite this, Seattle missed out on the playoffs by one game and had their postseason fate decided in the final week of the season for the fourth year in a row.
Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto has said that first base, second base and third base are the main positions of need for the team. And according to rumors, there's been several ways the club has discussed filling those needs.
According to some of those rumors, Seattle has had discussions with several teams about the possibility of moving veteran pitcher Luis Castillo.
There's been conflicting reports about how close the Mariners are to actually making a swap. Dipoto has previously said that the idea of moving a pitcher from the starting rotation is "plan z" on the list of ways the team hopes to improve. And it seems that Seattle isn't interested in moving on from the three-time All-Star for anything less than it considers a fair price.
Based on recent comments from Mariners manager Justin Hollander, it seems like a fair price might be steep for a potential trade partner.
Hollander went on MLB Network Radio on Dec. 13. The hosts asked Hollander whether he liked a swap for Baltimore Orioles prospect Coby Mayo or Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas more. Hollander didn't answer the question, but was extremely complimentary to Castillo:
"I'll let you guys tell me what you like better. I love Luis Castillo. Luis Castillo's an awesome pitcher, he's an awesome teammate, he fits our environment really well. I'll let you guys decide whether you like one of those (players) better or whether you just like having Luis Castillo pitch every five days for the Mariners."
"We're open to a bunch of different combinations."
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 15, 2024
Seattle fans await the #Mariners first big move of the offseason.
🔗 https://t.co/fGPbvbjGlC pic.twitter.com/2x9H4GD5OR
Castillo started 30 or more games for the fifth time in his eight-year career. He had a 3.64 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 175.1 innings pitched across 30 starts.
Castillo is set to earn $24.15 million in 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively, with a $25 million vesting option for 2028. Despite his age (32 years-old) and cost, he'll can be considered a steal based on Max Fried's recent eight-year, $218 million deal with the New York Yankees. And the estimated $30 million a year contract Corbin Burnes is expected to earn.
Luis Castillo, Wicked 89mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/oZ0noV2yjb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 7, 2024
There are several players Seattle has been connected to who could fill its needs. But it seems like it'll take a pretty big haul for Castillo to be included in a deal.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
MARINERS GM REAFFIRMS TEAM'S NEED FOR FIRST BASEMAN: Seattle Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander talked about the team's needs in the infield, including a first baseman to pair with Luke Raley. CLICK HERE
POSSIBLE MARINERS FREE AGENT TARGET GETS FAVORABLE ASSESSMENT FROM NATIONAL PUBLICATION: Free agent Korean Baseball Organization middle infielder, Hyeseong Kim, received high praise from a national publication. CLICK HERE
DEAL BETWEEN CUBS, MARINERS A "LONG SHOT" ACCORDING TO INSIDER: A swap between the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs involving Luis Castillo and Nico Hoerner looks unlikely, per an MLB insider. CLICK HERE
Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.
