Luis Castillo To Red Sox? Making Case For, Against Acquiring Reds Ace

Will the Red Sox make a splash at the Major League Baseball trade deadline? Boston is in the thick of the American League Wild Card race and could use a few pieces. As such, we’ll examine whether several notable trade targets make sense (or don’t make sense) as the club looks to retool for the second half of the season.

The Boston Red Sox have a carousel of arms being rotated in and out of their starting staff on a weekly basis.

Nick Pivetta has been the only mainstay in the rotation and there are fewer internal options than a couple of weeks ago when Chris Sale could still be seen as a potential frontline starter upon return. The southpaw’s return lasted two games, and Boston has been left high and dry once again.

The starting rotation could use a boost, and there are few starters on the trade market who would actually move the needle. The top pitcher expected to be dealt is Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo. He would make a substantial difference to the outlook of the Red Sox roster should they cough up enough of a prospect haul.

Should Boston give Cincinnati a call?

Info:
Position: Starter
Age: 29 (Dec. 12, 1992)
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 220 pounds
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

2022 stats*:
14 games, 85 innings
4-4 record, 2.86 ERA, 90 strikeouts
1.071 WHIP, 3.21 FIP, 159 ERA+
9.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 3.21 K/BB

Career stats*:
137 games, 792 1/3 innings
44-53 record, 3.62 ERA, 860 strikeouts
1.204 WHIP, 3.70 FIP, 126 ERA+
9.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 3.21 K/BB

*through July 27

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Why Castillo makes sense for Red Sox:
The Red Sox pitching woes could be significantly alleviated with the addition of a legitimate ace. The rotation would be bolstered and the bullpen would get some extra rest every fifth game.

Times are tough for the Boston pitching staff. However, the Red Sox sit just 4 1/2 games back of an American League Wild Card spot and could vault themselves into second place in the division by mid-August should they turn it around. It’s not a stretch for the Red Sox to go for it, and there would be no better way to announce themselves as in the hunt than to bring in Castillo to devastate the AL East.

The right-handed flamethrower is under team control through 2023, so even if this season becomes a lost cause, Boston’s investment would not be all for naught. Considering Nathan Eovaldi’s status as an impending free agent, it might be smart to lock up another frontline starter.

Why Castillo doesn’t make sense for Red Sox:
While the Red Sox are far from out of contention, the current roster has done nothing in the second half to warrant an investment of Castillo’s caliber.

Given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ continuous willingness to have an over-the-top team and the New York Yankees’ penchant to go all in, Castillo’s cost will be driven up.

For Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom to thin out the organization’s farm system that has been on the rise for years, he’d have to be quite confident that Castillo will not only become a legitimate ace for the remainder of his contract, but also beyond.

Verdict: Not a fit unless the Red Sox are willing to go all in.

Prediction: The Red Sox show little interest in Castillo and focus on more affordable options. Castillo ends up with the Dodgers in their yearly blockbuster trade.