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21 hours ago
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The Chicago Cubs hope to be playoff contenders in 2025, and to get there, there's a strong chance they could be in search of additional starting pitching.
Granted, the Cubs' rotation at the moment projects as solid. Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele are a passable one-two punch, while Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Ben Brown provide some upside.
Compared to other National League rosters, though, the Cubs' rotation looks a bit short on star talent. Imanaga made the All-Star team as a rookie in 2024, and he's the only member of the rotation with any sort of accolades.
Could the Cubs swing a trade for a starting pitcher whose name has been dangled in trade discussions since the end of last season--Seattle Mariners three-time All-Star Luis Castillo?
On Thursday, Andrew Wright of Athlon proposed a hypothetical trade that would bring Castillo to Chicago for Boyd, right-handed pitching prospects Brandon Birdsell and Jack Neely, and third-base prospect Gage Workman.
"The Cubs and Mariners were linked several times in the offseason, and a trade for Castillo during the season makes a ton of sense," Wright wrote.
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"Castillo is a three-time All-Star, and he has been as consistent as any pitcher in baseball, as shown by his 3.55 career ERA. His season ERA has only risen above 4.00 once, and that was in 2018, his second season in the league."
The 32-year-old Castillo is making $72 million over the next three seasons, and he has a $24 million vesting option in 2028 if he throws 180 or more innings in 2027. That's an expensive deal, no doubt, but it's also cheaper than market rate these days for a pitcher of his stature.
Prospects are a mystery box, but the Cubs' farm system is deep at the moment. They have every incentive to give up a big package like this for Castillo--but will the Mariners give them the chance to do so?
More MLB: Phillies-White Sox trade idea lands $50 million All-Star for Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh
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