The Angels and Reds have engaged in “preliminary trade talks” about right-hander Luis Castillo, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports (Twitter link). No deal seems close, however, as “the sides are far apart as of today.”
While the Reds are known to be listening on offers for Castillo, latest reports have indicated that Cincinnati isn’t keen to part with either Castillo and Tyler Mahle. As Morosi plainly puts it, the Reds’ “price remains very high” for Castillo’s services.
It costs the Angels nothing to just ask about Castillo, of course, and given how Los Angeles is scouring the free agent market for pitching, it isn’t surprising that the Halos are also exploring trade possibilities. Noah Syndergaard has already signed with Anaheim, but the Angels could surely use at least one more starter for what is planned as a six-man rotation. Right now, Syndergaard, Shohei Ohtani, Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, and Jaime Barria sit as the Angels’ top six choices.
Castillo is a good fit for the Angels for several reasons, starting with his obvious ability to be front-of-the-rotation type of arm. Castillo is also controllable and affordable for two more seasons via the arbitration system, with Castillo projected to earn $7.6MM this winter. Since the Angels have a longstanding aversion to long-term deals for starting pitchers, keeping Castillo on a short-term deal carries obvious appeal, especially since he would also cost much less than it would take to sign a top-tier free agent arm like Robbie Ray or Max Scherzer.
Of course, obtaining Castillo carries a different kind of steep cost. The Reds’ specific demands for Castillo aren’t known, but it’s easy to imagine the team wanting a big package of high-caliber young talent. Since Cincinnati isn’t pursuing an outright fire sale in its efforts to cut payroll, one would think the Reds might want at least one young player who can contribute in 2022, since the team is still hoping to contend in the NL Central.
Castillo has garnered interest all over the L.A. baseball scene, as the Dodgers have also reportedly had some talks with the Reds about a possible swap. While it is safe to guess that multiple teams have checked in on Castillo’s availability, the Twins are one of the teams who haven’t yet shown interest, according to SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson. Minnesota may have an even more severe need for veteran pitching than the Angels, yet it has been a quiet offseason overall for the Twins, with the exception of today’s contract extension with Byron Buxton.
The entire league is interested in Luis Castillo.
Who is willing to pay the astronomical asking price – well that list shortens significantly.
Just needs to be one GM that shoots for the stars, like the Pirates did to get Archer in 17.
@ jbryant0693;
Yes…..
Just as Scott Boras often finds a desperate owner / FO head for his big ticket players, it just takes one organization that is being ragged by its fans to overpay.
In the Angels case, it’s not just the fans – it’s Trout and Ohtani both of whose patience is running out. The problem is that the Angels don’t have a lot of quality young players they can afford to give up.
Agree, Angels don’t have, or probably wouldn’t part with (Detmers), the chips necessary to get it done.
Samuel – I don’t think any team would overpay just because fans told them too. It’s all about revenue. If the fans spoke through action by not going to games, buying team crap, etc, that might make the owner make a hasty decision with an overpay.
Samuel-The patience of Ohtani and Trout is not running out. They’ve just stated they want to win. Just like the other 290+ players.
@ FinkleSteinSh*tkid;
The 290+ other players have not been playing on a team that has failed to make the playoffs for I don’t know how many years, and are 1) the best position player in MLB and 2) the only one that pitches and hits at an elite level. In fact, these may be the 2 most valuable players in MLB today. Their patience is in fact running out. Ohtani is a FA in 2024, and while Trout has a long-term contract both of them can request trades and I suspect their requests would be honored.
In other words, “I don’t know what I’m talking about.” Easily one of the two worst commenters on this site
@ FinkleSteinSh*tkid;;
Scott Boras got Alex Rodriquez a quarter of a billion dollars in 2001. Tell me what the house you’re living in was selling for in 2001, and what it’s selling for today. Then add in what it’ll be selling for in 2025 when Soto is a FA..
@ FletcherFan69;
Don’t be so hard on FinkleSteinSh*tkid.
As for me – watch……better still, go back a few years and see the “outrageous things” I wrote that have come to pass.
Of course Trout and Ohtani are getting tired of losing. If they aren’t, they shouldn’t be professional athletes.. wakeup
They do have a lot of young talent Marsh Joe Odell just the start of it
*2018…..it’s a nightmare that will not end
Exactly. I’m sure lots of teams are calling the Nats about Juan Soto, too.
The Reds, trying to balance their books and keep some fannies in the seats at the same time, have already said they’re not moving Castillo. Doing it now (especially after the Miley semi-disaster) would do nothing to that end.
Now, Sonny’s another matter. Maybe if you take Shoyo?
Boras may make Soto the first billion dollar player.
Billion? You’renuts. No team is going to pay ANY player and that includes Trout, a billion.
Don’t know about a billion dollars but 10 years/ $600 million looks very possible to me
Why would someone even think this the Yankees are worth 5 billion dollars why would they spend 1/5 of their net worth on one player lmao
@ FinkleSteinSh*tkid;
How long have you been watching MLB?
Over a decade ago Scott Boras said $100m contracts would be plentiful. That was taken as being absurd.
If Soto continues to produce over the next few years as he already has – and he’s currently 23 years old – what do you think Scott Boras can get for him on a 15-17 year contract?
P.S. 40% of the US money supply has been printed in the past 10 or so weeks….with more to come. Why do you think these outrageous multi year contracts are being given out? You priced any fixed assets the past 6 months?
When you consider that the largest contract in North American sports history is $503M, it doesn’t seem likely that Soto would break the billion mark. For a 17-year contract like you propose, Soto would have to make more than $58M per year through his age 40 season, shattering the current AAV record by more than 50%. Maybe $58M AAV will be the norm in 2038, maybe it won’t. But it’s insane to think that any team would even want to give out a contract like that in the present.
I said it in another comment above and I’ll say it again, Samuel, you are probably the most clueless people on this website.
@ FletcherFan69;
Read what I wrote above about the money supply. Have you priced a car lately? A house? Do you understand that a ML player under contract is a Fixed Asset? Scott Boras, other agents, and negotiators for MLB franchises do.
Did you ever read heard of the Weimar Republic? You might want to look into that.
I have similar thoughts about you and a large percentage of the people on here. So? You live in fantasy land. MLB is a cutthroat business (as is any entertainment business). Always has been. Always will be.
Samuel – Markets fluctuate. That house you referenced in 2001 was worth more in 2008, then it plummeted in 2009 for several years. Then it went back up again slowly. For argument sake, let’s say the salary tax limit, which is projected to go down in the new CBA, is around 250m when Soto is a FA (I doubt it will be that high). No team would dedicate 20% or more of their salary limit to one player. My numbers are speculative, but you can see my point I’m sure. That’s assuming every team is even willing to touch the tax limit in player salaries, which few are willing or able to.
As a Giants fan, I remember when the asking price for Luis Castillo was Casey McGehee. Unfortunately, the Giants made that deal.
The Angels are engaged but not married. I doubt the Reds would deal Castillo. They’ve been saying this for a while now. Castillo is coming off a bad year. A team would be foolish giving up their top prospects for him.
Moreno is never married. He is just friendly with the pros who can’t spell “pitching.” The Angels need a new owner.
Bad year? His ERA+ 120, fip 3.75 says otherwise, don’t look at the W-L for Castillo.
Except the twins… they have no interest. Lol
LOL
Maybe a change of scenery will help him.
Help him? He was 9th in ERA and xFIP in MLB since June 1 pitching in a bandbox half the time.
He only had a few bad starts in the early part of the season
If only we had a bevy of prospects…
I think a Gray trade is possible. Castillo seems out of reach.
This headline might as well read bait-and-switch. The Reds see what prospects the Angels are willing to part with, then switch Gray for Castillo. Perfect.
I’d rather keep Gray anyway, a vet with the young guns coming up
28 other MLB teams plus 3 other leagues in the world are interested in Castillo.
Jared Walsh and Marsh for Castillo, fair trade
You are high.
I don’t think Marsh is that good. Even his minor league stats tell me that hes a good fielder with a below average hitting. Walsh is a first basemen who isn’t a good fielder. I think thats fair for 2 years of Castillo
Walsh isn’t a good fielder? Lmao give me some stats on that.
Walsh was a Gold Glove finalist…
Metsin7-Walsh isn’t a good fielder??? Let’s be clear you’re talking about Jared Walsh??? You obviously haven’t been paying attention. Nice try.
Cinn has a 1B already
flamablanca51 mins ago
Walsh was a Gold Glove finalist…
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The Gold Gloves are a joke. They were a joke when they gave Raffy and didn’t realize he was a DH. They became an Onion award when they started giving out GGs to Jeter, despite leading the world with the worst DRS stats.
I haven’t seen enough of Walsh to have an opinion, but Fangraphs and the Fielding Bible both suggest he is below average.
Gold gloves are getting better. Walsh is an excellent first baseman.
U must not Watch West Coast baseball Walsh is a great hitter and a great first base he not get trade
You’re funny
As a reds fan I’m not that high on Castillo but as good as a return that is I just don’t feel the Angels want to give up Big League ready talent. and on the reds front they need to focus on the future at this point and get some high ceiling prospects
Maybe a package centered around Alexander Ramirez and either Detmers or Bachman. I would most likely say as much as the reds scouted and had interest in Bachman he is the much more likely of the two. And the Angels shouldn’t move Detmers for anything the kid is dynamic
Hellllllll no. That’s 12 years of team control of an All-Star 1st baseman and an every day outfielder with solid potential. Trade all that for someone with only 2 years of team control left. HARD PASS.
I don’t think the Reds are necessarily interested in a fair trade.
Reds want a Berrios or Archer package. They want desperation and to be fair the Angels front office and ownership has been nothing but desperate for years.
They’ll want adell as part of the package I’m sure and I wouldn’t do that if I were the angels… go for Sony Gray, who will cost less
You’re high
Do the Halos have the prospect capital to get him, if the asking price is in fact “astronomical?” If so, I assume whatever they have would be decimated.
They do have Jo Adell and/or Brandon Marsh to headline a deal.
The Halos have a couple of pieces.. but not what the Reds would require.. a third team (Mariners, Rays, Guardians, others) could be engaged to supplement the prospect capital the Halos would have to deliver.. it’s that or a severe under pay or cancellation of any further deal/negotiations..
The Reds would likely take Adell in a second.
I wouldn’t do that if I were the angels… I think adell will continue to develop and that we’ve seen the best of Castillo
Some decent Adell love on this sub thread and I’m glad to see it. Tired of all the short thinking on players like him. He’s 23 and hasn’t even had a full seasons worth of at bats. Giving up on a player like him is just madness.
Nobody bagged on Adell. They (me too) are saying to package him in a trade. He has value to bring us much needed pitching.
Agreed need to trade quality for a 1 or 2 SP. Trade Adell, Barria, and another decent prospect for Castillo and Gray. Then focus on BP. Closer, setup, and swingman. This would fix our budget.
Icing on cake sign Suzuki to replace Adell.
Plenty of Angel fans have bagged on Adell
SalaryCapMyth1 hour ago
Some decent Adell love on this sub thread and I’m glad to see it. Tired of all the short thinking on players like him.
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It’s only short-thinking if they are wrong. I like to hoard propsects as much as anyone else. But I see I see risk with Downs and Duran, that I don’t see with Casas, Yorke, and Mayer.
Adell and Marsh will both improve, but they also have a gazillion strikeouts each. In the fantasy world, a lack of patience is the #1 team killer. The #2 team killer is an abundance of patience.
Same could be said for Torres who’s a year + older than Adell; yet he’s ripped apart as worthless by most non-Yankee fans. And, that’s after an outstanding demonstration, nearly winning ROY (at least competing for it).
That change up is his pitch. Reds need a big return and not give him away.
I’d imagine it’s Adell or bust for the Reds, while the Angels are more seeing if a bargain package made up of low minors guys might work. Hint, it won’t.
What I find interesting about this piece is who leaked it. Are the Reds really interested in finding a big offer and taking it, and announcing they’re open for business via a leak? Can’t imagine this came from the Angels side.
Jo Adell for Luis Castillo straight up
No.
Trade Adell before he turns into Frazier
It depends on whether the Angels feel they can contend these next two years. If so, Castillo would be more valuable to them than Adell. If not, there isn’t a single SP out there that will help them.
I would rather trade for Castillo than overpay for Robbie Ray’s career year.
Yes, this is an excellent point and I think most would agree. The key is retaining some semblance of a farm if the Reds are being unreasonable about it.
Cashman, Cashman …. ? You awake
Quiet! He’s sleeping.
Taking on a dicounted Moose to ease the prospect burden makes too much sense here.
I doubt the Reds would do that. The point of trading Castillo would be to get an outstanding prospect package with all these years of club control. That’s worth more than getting out from under what’s owed Moustakas ($16MM in 2022, $18MM in 2023, and a $4MM buyout in 2024).
They have a stated goal of “aligning their payroll with their resources” though. This would allow for a reset in that regard, and give the Reds some much desired payroll flexibility.
I doubt Arte would do it, however.
toptimrubies2 hours ago
Taking on a dicounted Moose to ease the prospect burden makes too much sense here.
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I said the same thing for my Red Sox. Moose is way overpriced, but I also think he is a good rebound candidate. This might be a good use of your salary cap.
Hey, I’m a pitcher in the major leagues and stuff! Oh, never mind, it’s the Angels, would you like fries with that?
What the???
Starting price is at least Detmers or Bachman, amongst other pieces in top 10 and 25. If either of them aren’t offered in return, walk away.
I know Halo11 disagrees, but I would package Adell and Rengifo for Castillo.
Rengifo would be a throw in, in any deal. It would take more than that to get Castillo.
Rengifo- Yes ah hell we will throw in Turner and we will pay 100% of his salary
People can disagree. I’m not always right. I love Adell”s talent and his make up.
These kids don’t come along that often. I wouldn’t trade him.
No way CIN take that
Cooper criswell, Justin upton ( we pay most of his salary),Luis rengifo, Lucan Soto for Castillo and bailey
I’m no Angels fan, but I guarantee that whatever they would have to give up would not be worth it. Castillo looked like a true top ace at one point. But those days are behind him. If he gets traded to one of the smart teams who are good at developing and maximizing pitcher production he might turn around and get back to where he was.
What?
Castillo had a bad first half last year. Other than that, he’s been consistently dominant – in a hitter’s paradise.
He’s got easy gas that hits 97 constantly, 10K/9IP, 3 K/W, and he’s 24.
Two years of control of THAT is gonna be EXPENSIVE.
Castillo is the ace on 2/3 of MLB rosters.
@FromTheCheapSeats, Absolutely. Trading for Castillo is better than overpaying for a FA starter. I’m hoping the Dodgers find a way to do it. They would get Castillo for his 2nd and 3rd arb years, and then a draft pick should he leave after 2023. For an organization that’s confident about its ability to draft and develop pitchers, that would make a ton of sense. The Rays are another team that should consider trading for Castillo.
Castillo had a bad first half last year.
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More like two bad months. He had a ERA/FIP of 2.73/3.34 after May. He also ranked #8 in fWAR over the past three seasons. I see almost no downside.
Angels sign Scherzer.
Angels acquire Castillo.
They can be “interested” all they want
Write the check.
Move Adell for him.
If the Angels are serious about winning with Trout and Ohtani then go all in as you can for next couple of years.
Certainly a risk, but YOU HAVE OHTANI AND TROUT!!!
Angels shouldn’t give in. But it’s good for Perry to start these talks so he can swing a deal for Sonny Gray. Prospect haul would be much less and could very well take only Jose Suarez and 1-2 lesser known prospects.
Upton, Suarez and another prospect.
Would Trout be enough to get it done?
Angels, interested in everyone. Sign no one. Franchise motto
According to informed sources, The Marlins are in on trade negotiations with the Reds on acquiring Luis Castillo.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but it may not be enough to pry the valuable Castillo from the Reds.. The Marlins weren’t the only team to have contacted the Reds with regard to trading for Castillo.
I wish Canning had value. I’d do Canning, Adams, one of the young SS prospects and a pitching prospect.
Figure Adell or Marsh would have to be included to get a deal done.
Upton, Adams, and Barria for Castillo.
Pretty funny. At least I hope you were trying to be funny.
I was.
What a terrible package.
Dump Upton in any package.
We need an out field of Trout, Adell, and Marsh.
Did you notice how much time Adell and Trout missed? The Angels need a 4th outfielder. And Walsh can’t hit LH pitching. I expect Upton to get 100 ABs at first base alone.
Here comes the we will give you our prospects that will never make the big leagues for a great starter with two years of control.
Yep and we’ll throw in a dead contract (Upton) too.