CINCINNATI, OHIO – JULY 08: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park on July 08, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers have had trade discussions about pitcher Luis Castillo.
Entering the 2022 MLB season, one name that was already linked as a potential trade deadline target was Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo. With the team showing that they were not looking to contend in 2022 based off their offseason decisions, that made Castillo an easy option. But with the Aug. 2 deadline just weeks away, there is a new suitor for the right-hander.
According to MLB Networks’ Jon Morosi, the Reds have had preliminary trade conversations with the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding Castillo.
Dodgers have preliminary talks with Reds regarding Luis Castillo trade
The Dodgers being in on a top trade deadline target? Insert “pretends to be shocked” GIF right here. Los Angeles has an eight-game lead over the rival San Diego Padres for first place in the NL West as of this writing, and happen to have a need at starting pitcher.
Dustin May is close to having a rehab assignment, per manager Dave Roberts, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Walker Buehler is on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery to get a bone spur removed from his right elbow.
Adding Castillo makes sense for the Dodgers. He fills a hole in the starting rotation, and it could very well help the team make the World Series for the third time in five years.
This season, Castillo recorded a 2.92 ERA, a 1.099 WHIP, 74 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 71.0 innings (12 starts).
The Dodgers are interested in Castillo, but they are far from the only team that will be once the trade deadline inches closer.