Reds rumors: Luis Castillo’s name emerges in trade talks

Luis Castillo’s name has emerged in the latest Reds rumors.

Most fans won’t like hearing Luis Castillo‘s name mentioned in the latest Reds rumors, but that’s where we are this offseason. MLB insider Jon Heyman says that Castillo and fellow starter Sonny Gray are being discussed in trades. Heyman is quick to point out that the asking price for Castillo and Gray remains quite high. Would the Cincinnati Reds really consider trading Castillo?

To be quite honest, I wouldn’t panic too much Reds fans. While it may be disheartening to hear one of the top pitchers in the National League being involved in trade discussions, the idea of trading Castillo doesn’t fit.

Throughout the entire offseason, we’ve heard several Reds rumors involving players with an eye towards cutting costs. Dealing Luis Castillo, who is entering his first-year of arbitration eligibility, would not accomplish that.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Castillo can expect to take home between $3M-$5.8M next season. That’s not a big number at all for a pitcher who could routinely enter the Cy Young discussion over the next few years.

We’ve already heard Sonny Gray’s name mentioned this offseason as a potential trade candidate, but the two-time All-Star carries a $10M salary next season. Raisel Iglesias was just recently dealt to the Los Angeles Angels, allowing Cincinnati to shed a little over $9M of salary obligation for next season.

Nick Krall and the Cincinnati Reds front office also saved a decent amount when they non-tendered Archie Bradley, Curt Casali, and Brian Goodwin. Those moves effectively saved the team between $10M-$12M based on estimates from MLB Trade Rumors.

Luis Castillo is a bonafide ace, and should be looked as a candidate for a contract extension, not a trade. While I’m sure there’s some truth to the latest rumblings, it doesn’t fit the narrative of Cincinnati looking to cut costs this winter. In all honesty, it would make more sense to find a trade partner for Eugenio Suárez who still has four years and $40M-plus remaining on his current deal.

Dumping Rasiel Iglesias and non-tendering the three aforementioned players has saved the Cincinnati Reds approximately $20M heading into next season. If these latest Reds rumors are true, dealing Castillo wouldn’t accomplish the idea of shedding salary. It would, however, enable Cincinnati to receive a massive haul in return.