Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox
The Seattle Mariners’ 2023 season ended in disappointment as they fell short of the postseason despite a promising start. With their hopes of a playoff run dashed, Seattle is now looking ahead to 2024, and that could mean some significant changes to their roster. One area where the Mariners might make a move is their pitching staff, with ace Luis Castillo potentially on the trade block.
Castillo, who signed a five-year, $108 million extension with Seattle in 2022, has been a stalwart at the top of the Mariners’ rotation since arriving in 2021. A three-time All-Star, Castillo is coming off a solid 2023 campaign, where he posted a 3.64 ERA in 33 starts. Despite his continued success and contract security, there are whispers around the league that Seattle could look to move him in order to shake up their roster and add some impact offensive talent.
Why the Red Sox Could Be the Perfect Fit for Castillo
In a recent article for FanSided, Miles Houston suggested that the Boston Red Sox, a team in need of consistent and durable starting pitching, should be targeting Luis Castillo instead of Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Houston points out that Castillo’s elite durability — he’s started 33 games in both 2023 and 2024, leading all of Major League Baseball in starts last season — would make him a perfect fit for the Red Sox, who have struggled with stability in their starting rotation.
“In his eight seasons, in addition to being an ace, Castillo has demonstrated his elite durability,” Houston writes. “With the Red Sox’s previous struggles with durable starting pitching, he would be a welcome fit in Boston.”
With the Red Sox relying on a mix of young arms and veterans in their rotation, adding a proven ace with playoff experience like Castillo would help solidify their starting staff. He’s a player who can be counted on to eat innings, and his experience in high-pressure situations, including multiple postseason appearances, would bring a veteran presence to a relatively young Red Sox rotation.
The Trade Possibility: What Could the Red Sox Offer?
For the Mariners, dealing Castillo would not be a decision they take lightly. He remains one of their top pitchers, and moving him would create a significant hole in their rotation. However, with Seattle having an abundance of pitching talent, including young arms like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, the Mariners may be open to moving Castillo if they can land a major return, particularly in the form of offensive help.
The Mariners have long been in search of more offensive production, and moving Castillo could free up room for them to invest in that area. If Boston were to enter trade talks for Castillo, the Mariners would likely seek one of the Red Sox’s promising young hitters in exchange. Outfield prospect Wilyer Abreu, who has shown significant potential, could be a piece the Mariners would be interested in.
Unlike Garrett Crochet, who is still in the early stages of his career and may command a higher trade price after an All-Star 2024 campaign, Castillo is under contract and has no arbitration years left. That means the Mariners know exactly what they’re getting financially for the next few years, and that stability could make him a more attractive option for a team like Boston, which might prefer a known commodity over a player with more uncertainty.
What Does the Trade Mean for the Mariners?
If Seattle were to part ways with Castillo, it would signal a shift in the Mariners’ approach to roster building. The team’s pitching depth would remain strong even without Castillo, but the trade would open up an opportunity for the Mariners to pursue a young, impactful bat — something the team desperately needs. With a player like Castillo, who has a strong reputation and an affordable contract, Seattle could attract significant interest from teams looking to bolster their rotation, especially those like Boston who have a need for consistent, veteran starters.
Additionally, moving Castillo could give the Mariners more financial flexibility. While his contract is far from crippling, freeing up his salary could give Seattle the room to make a splash in the free-agent market or pursue other trade targets to improve their lineup.
Conclusion: The Mariners’ Next Move
With the Mariners finishing well below expectations in 2023, a roster shake-up may be in order, and trading away Luis Castillo could be part of that process. For the Red Sox, acquiring Castillo would address their need for a durable, experienced ace, but it would come at a cost — likely one of their top young offensive prospects.
For Seattle, the move could net them a highly valuable offensive piece while keeping their rotation strong with their emerging young arms. As the offseason progresses, this potential trade could be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch. With both teams poised to make key moves in the coming months, the future of Luis Castillo could have a major impact on the landscape of both the Mariners and the Red Sox.
