Luis Castillo traded to Mariners by Reds for 4 prospects
Jul 29, 2022, 8:16 AM | Updated: Jul 30, 2022, 11:01 am
Luis Castillo gestures during a July 14 game against the New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
HOUSTON (AP) — The Seattle Mariners acquired the top starting pitcher on the trade market Friday night, getting All-Star Luis Castillo from the payroll-paring Cincinnati Reds for four minor league prospects.
Cincinnati obtained infielders Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo, and right-handers Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore. Marte was the Mariners’ top-rated prospect, Arroyo was third and Stoudt fifth.
“We felt this was the best return we could get for Luis,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said.
Seattle has not been to the playoffs since 2001, the longest postseason drought in the four major North American professional sports.
At 54-46, the Mariners are in the second of three AL wild-card spots, a half-game in front of Tampa Bay (53-46) and three games ahead of Cleveland (50-48).
Seattle won its final 14 games before the All-Star break, one short of the longest winning streak in team history and the best run by any club heading into the break since 1933. But the Mariners are 3-5 since, following an 11-1 loss at Houston on Friday night.
Castillo last pitched Wednesday and figures to make his Mariners debut next week at Yankee Stadium, where Seattle plays a three-game series starting Monday.
A 29-year-old right-hander, Castillo was 4-4 with a 2.86 ERA for the last-place Reds, striking out 90 and walking 28 in 85 innings. His fastball averages 97 mph.
“It has been a beautiful experience,” Castillo said through an interpreter. “To have my name in the fans’ mouth and having them cheer me on, it is something I will treasure forever.”
Acquired from Miami before the 2017 season, Castillo is a two-time All-Star with a 44-53 career record and 3.62 ERA in six seasons. He has a $7.35 million salary this season, is eligible for arbitration next winter and can become a free agent after the 2023 season.
He joins a rotation that includes Logan Gilbert, Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen. Touted rookie George Kirby appears likely to be displaced.
Marte, 20, hit .275 with 19 doubles, 15 homers, 55 RBIs and 13 steals this season for Class A Everett.
The 18-year-old Arroyo was a second-round draft pick last year and has hit .299 in the minors with 21 doubles, seven triples, 15 homers, 77 RBIs and 25 steals.
Stout, 24, is 13-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 33 starts over two minor league seasons.
The 22-year-old Moore is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA this year for Class A Modesto.
“Noelvi Marte has a chance to be an impact middle of the order bat who can play shortstop,” Krall said. “Edwin Arroyo same thing — he has power/speed combo, who can play shortstop. Levi Stoudt has a chance to be a major league starter. Andrew Moore just started to pitch. He was drafted last year. He has explosive, explosive stuff. His fastball is up to 102 with a plus slider.”
A night earlier, the rebuilding Reds dealt outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl to the New York Mets for two teenage minor leaguers.
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is Tuesday.
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