3 possible trade packages the Reds could receive from the Mariners for Luis Castillo

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The Seattle Mariners have been rumored to be one of many teams interested in trading for Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo.

Seattle has one of the most talented farm systems in the league, meaning Cincinnati could cash in on some top-level talent if they decide to part with Castillo this offseason.

What Seattle would be willing to give up in order to land Castillo is anyone's guess, but let's outline three possible trade packages the Mariners could craft in order to pry La Piedra away from the Reds.

1. Reds land prospect-heavy package for Luis Castillo.

Yes, landing a player like Julio Rodriguez would be a dream scenario for the Cincinnati Reds. But Nick Krall better keep on dreaming.

The M's are unlikely to move Rodriguez, as Seattle has high hopes for the No. 2-rated prospect in all of baseball per MLB Pipeline.

But, the Mariners still have five other prospects listed among the Top 100 in the sport. In order to land Castillo, you'd have to think that Seattle would have to part with at least one.

In this scenario, the Reds would pocket two of the Mariners' top prospects. Right-handed pitcher George Kirby and catcher Harry Ford are both ranked in the Top 100.

Kirby was a first-round pick of the Mariners in 2019. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has a four-pitch mix and great command.

Kirby is not going to put a lot of men on base. Last season at Double-A Arkansas, the 23-year-old posted a 6.4% walk-rate.

Harry Ford was one of the top catching prospects in last year's draft. It's always a risk taking a catcher out of high school in the first-round, but it seems to have worked out well for the Reds.

After being taken in the first-round out of high school in 2015, Tyler Stephenson showcased his talents last season and will be firmly entrenched as Cincinnati's everyday catcher in 2022.

Zach DeLoach is a left-handed hitting outfielder who has a chance to stick in center field. DeLoach is a streaky hitter, but could develop into a solid outfielder.

Hat and glove of Seattle Mariners. / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Reds land top prospect for Luis Castillo.

As was stated early, Reds GM Nick Krall will probably be rebuffed if he inquires about Mariners' top prospect Julio Rodriguez. But what about Noelvi Marte?

Seattle's No. 2-rated prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, was one of the top international prospects in 2018 and the Mariners inked him to a $1.55M contract.

Marte is rated as the fifth-best shortstop prospect in all of baseball, and while the Reds have high hopes for Jose Barrero, adding Marte would be the type of deal Cincinnati could not pass up.

Marte spent the majority of last season at Low-A Modesto and hit .271/.368/.462 with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs. Some still wonder where his defensive home will be in the majors.

The Mariners would have to give a little more, in all likelihood, in order to bring Luis Castillo to the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to Marte, the M's could throw in another one of their Top 10 prospects. Brandon Williamson is an advanced left-handed pitching prospect.

Williamson spent time at High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas last season. The southpaw posted a 3.39 ERA in 19 starts.

Williamson is a strike thrower. The lefty punched out 153 batters in 98.1 innings of work. That's a 37.4% strikeout-rate.

Noelvi Marte has superstar potential and Brandon Williamson is, at worst, a back-of-the-rotation starter. That'd be a nice return for Reds if they choose to deal Luis Castillo.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas (9). / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Reds rid themselves of Mike Moustakas' contract.

This is the least ideal scenario for me, but it's certainly one the Cincinnati Reds should entertain. Could the Reds attach the unwanted contract of Mike Moustakas to Luis Castillo?

Let's face it, signing Moustakas was a mistake. Honestly, even if the slugger found the same measure of success he did in Kansas City and Milwaukee, Cincinnati still should not have signed Moose.

Moustakas signed a four-year/$64M contract prior to the 2020 season. The contract will pay Moustakas $18M in the final year (2023) of the deal and contains a $4M buyout for the 2024 season.

Moose will be 33 years old next season, and unless the National League adopts the designated hitter, will be without a position.

Attaching Mike Moustakas' contract to the potential trade of Luis Castillo will net the Reds less of a return. But, with Cincinnati looking to cut costs this winter, it certainly should be considered.

Even with Moustakas' contract as part of potential deal, the Reds should still get a nice return for a trade involving Castillo.

Maybe the Reds and Mariners could help each other out. Seattle has been rumored to have interest in trading right fielder Mitch Haniger for some time now.

Haniger is in the final season of team control and is estimated by MLB Trade Rumors to take home $8.5M next season.

In addition to Haniger, perhaps the Reds could snag their starting centerfielder for the 2022 season in Kyle Lewis.

During his limited time in the bigs, Lewis has posted three consecutive seasons with an OPS+ above 100.

Lewis, who won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2020, was limited to just 36 games after tearing the meniscus in his right knee last season.

Next. 4 possible trade destinations for Luis Castillo. dark

The Reds should also try to secure a minor league talent as well. The Reds could acquire a young pitching prospect like Adam Macko or Levi Stoudt.

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