Cubs look to seize control of NL Central, eye trade for former Reds' All-Star

The Chicago Cubs pulled off a massive trade on Friday afternoon. The North Siders added All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to their roster in exchange for infielders Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith, along with pitcher Hayden Wisneski. That transaction certainly tipped the scales in the Cubs' favor heading into 2025. But the latest rumor could move Chicago from NL Central frontrunner to World Series contender.

According to the Seattle Times (subscription required), the Cubs are targeting former Cincinnati Reds' ace Luis Castillo. The Seattle Mariners have reportedly made the three-time All-Star available in trade talks, and the Cubs could be at the front of the line to acquire La Piedra.

Cubs look to seize control of NL Central, eye trade for former Reds' All-Star Luis Castillo

The NL Central was easily the weakest division in baseball last season. The Milwaukee Brewers exceeded expectations, especially after parting with former Cy Young Award-winner Corbin Burnes, but were runaway winners for the second consecutive season and third time in four years.

However, Milwaukee's roster has taken two major hits already this offseason. Gone are Willy Adames and Devin Williams. The former inked a mega-deal with the San Francisco Giants, while the latter was traded to the New York Yankees.

The St. Louis Cardinals are retooling their roster and have made players like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras available in trades. The Cards also allowed longtime first baseman and former MVP Paul Goldschmidt to enter free agency.

With the Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates (for the most part) sitting on their hands this offseason, the Cubs see an opportunity to strike. If the rest of the NL Central just goes about business as usual, Chicago will be the overwhelming favorites to win the division in 2025.

But the offseason isn't over and the Reds have been linked to numerous players in trades and free agency. But the Cubs smell blood in the water, and if they're able to acquire Castillo, no move that Nick Krall and the Reds front office make will be enough to put them in the driver's seat heading into Opening Day.

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