Red Sox Insider Issues Warning To Boston About Rumored Target

The Red Sox already made a significant trade for a starting pitcher, but Boston might be looking into making another one.

Even after the blockbuster Garrett Crochet deal with the Chicago White Sox, the Red Sox reportedly remain a potential trade destination for Luis Castillo. The Mariners need to improve their offense, and they could view a Castillo swap as a way of adding those reinforcements.

Seattle should stay in touch with Boston, as the Red Sox’s rotation could use another frontline arm and they have the necessary assets to pull off such a trade. But as MassLive’s Sean McAdam outlined in a column published Sunday, Craig Breslow and company should tread lightly in any conversations with the Mariners.

“The Red Sox’s reported interest in Luis Castillo makes some sense,” McAdam wrote. “Castillo is a veteran right-hander with the ability to consistently pitch deep into games. But the Sox should be wary of either giving up too much or taking on all of his remaining salary ($72.4 million remaining over the next three seasons). Pitching in spacious T-Mobile Park in Seattle last year, he had an ERA of 3.15; on the road, that number ballooned to 4.25.”

Boston should heed McAdam’s advice. Seattle reportedly is “hesitant” about moving Castillo, whose exit would put the Mariners rotation in a tough spot. Such reluctance could make the M’s drive up the asking price, which the Red Sox shouldn’t go overboard to meet.