MLB insider reminds Mariners fans that starting pitching trade is still on the table
For teams still in search of meaningful starting pitching talent, the pickings are slim. All of the potential aces such as Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, and Blake Snell (among others) have already been signed to huge contracts while major trade pieces like Garrett Crochet were moved at the start of the offseason.
This current state of the market gives the Mariners a huge advantage when it comes to setting up at least one big trade before Opening Day.
It was recently reported on MLB Network that there are three starting pitchers that could potentially get moved: Michael King, Dylan Cease and Luis Castillo. With more and more action over the last week, we could see significant movement on the trade market featuring one of these names.
As it pertains to the Mariners, Castillo’s seemingly been on the trade block for months but multiple deals have fallen through.
The Padres have a history of being busy during the winter. Could a big move be on the way?#MLBNHotStove reacts to reports that Dylan Cease and Michael King are in play on the trade market. pic.twitter.com/dsKAaiUqsP
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 28, 2025
Mariners Rumors: Luis Castillo trade is still very much a possibility
It’s commonly known that the Mariners have a surplus of depth in their pitching department, and with five talented starters that could be the No. 2 or 3 arm for nearly any other MLB team, it makes sense that at least one of them should be used to acquire some better offense. Unfortunately, the front office expressed no interest in doing so, and despite reports that they were fielding interest for a Castillo trade during the Winter Meetings, nothing came of the rumors.
Thus, sentiment around the possibility of the team’s ace being moved has cooled down but it never died out completely. As spring training has drawn closer and the patience of Mariners fans has worn thin, trade discussions have been reignited and predictions about what sort of haul a Castillo trade could net the team have returned to vogue.
The unifying theme is that a position player with proven major-league capabilities is what needs to come back to Seattle. Prospects would be nice, in theory, but given the organization’s already talented farm system, winning now should be the priority. In addition to fixing holes in the roster, moving him would save the club nearly $100 million on the remainder of his contract (assuming his 2028 vesting option is met).
The value that he would bring to any team is obvious. He has always been a consistent performer and has had an ERA above 4.00 just once in his eight-year big-league career. Last season was one of his weaker campaigns on record, but he still managed a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 175 1/3 innings. His stability and durability would make him an excellent asset for any contender looking to take their starting pitching to the next level.
The Orioles, who have been similarly passive thus far, were reported as an interested party back in December and should still be open to talks given their own lopsided roster construction and excess of position player talent. The Cubs are in a peculiar “one foot in, one foot out” type of scenario, where they have made some significant moves to improve their roster while other acquisitions have been lackluster. Chicago did acquire Matt Boyd and Colin Rea, but Luis Castillo would be a more definitive improvement over their existing rotation.
If Jerry Dipoto is true to his word about wanting to stay the course with as much of last year’s squad as possible, then there’s not much reason to expect the outcome of 2025 to be any different than 2024. If the front office is serious about making a push for the postseason, something will have to be done … and soon.
