​The Sporting News originally reported that the Mariners’ $22.75 million All-Star is the “most likely” starter to be traded. If you want to flag it as a preferred source, you can add The Sporting News by clicking here. It’s a timeless truth in baseball: you can never have enough pitching. Yet there’s a question driving Seattle’s roster plan as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches. Will the Mariners shed one of their starting pitchers in exchange for an impact bat to bolster the lineup?
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon noted on Thursday that the standout trade candidate in Seattle’s rotation is a three-time All-Star who owns a 4.79 ERA and has totaled 77 strikeouts over 82.2 innings this season. “Luis Castillo, earning the balance of his $22.75 million this season and $22.75 million next season, would appear the most likely starter to move,” they wrote. “The Mariners value his veteran presence and leadership. But if ever a team was in position to move a starter, it’s Seattle.”
What could Seattle receive in return for Castillo, given they already have a rotation depth that could warrant multiple openings? “Presuming everyone stays healthy, the Mariners certainly could entertain moving a starter at the deadline. Their needs, a high-leverage reliever and a right-handed hitter, are similar to those of many clubs,” the duo added. They also highlighted that left fielder Randy Arozarena and third baseman J.P. Crawford are eligible for free agency, a factor teams could weigh as the deadline nears.
Around the roster, Rob Refsnyder, signed in the offseason to bolster the lineup against left-handed pitching, has struggled while on the injured list, posting a poor .422 OPS with just three home runs in 119 plate appearances. That performance, coupled with Castillo’s potential trade value, may prompt the Mariners to consider Refsnyder’s replacement if Castillo is moved.
As the market evolves, the Dodgers and Yankees could be watching how Byron Buxton impacts Philadelphia’s trade landscape, and discussions about Tarik Skubal between the Dodgers and Tigers could shape surrounding moves. The Red Sox watch Joe Ryan as a reminder of how quickly teams evaluate and pivot in the deadline sprint. And with Kyle Schwarber approaching a Babe Ruth-era milestone in some headlines or SEO chatter, the broader trade picture becomes a web of possibilities, with Seattle weighing whether to press their advantage by shipping Castillo to chase a complementary bat to fit a championship window.