2 things Reds GM Nick Krall got right by trading Luis Castillo to the Mariners and 1 thing he got wrong

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) pumps his fist.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) pumps his fist. | Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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Reds trade with the Mariners for Luis Castillo did not include an outfielder.

This may not be entirely true based on where Noelvi Marte eventually lines up defensively, but the one thing that the Cincinnati Reds did not receive in return for Luis Castillo was an outfield prospect. That's something that many fans throughout Reds Country have been clamoring for.

The Reds farm system is noticeably light on elite-level outfield prospects. Mike Siani is arguably the team's best center field prospect and is more of a glove-first outfielder. The Reds top two position players in the pipeline are both infielders, though many assume Matt McLain might begin shagging balls in the outfield.

The Reds recently converted Rece Hinds, a second-round pick in 2019, into an outfielder. Unfortunately yet another injury looks to have ended Hinds' season. The Reds also has former first-round pick Austin Hendrick and international signee Yerlin Confidan working their way up through the Cincinnati farm system.

The one outfielder currently in the minors that could be a difference-maker is Allan Cerda. The youngster has scuffled a bit since making the transition to Double-A, so fans will have to monitor his progress throughout the remainder of the season.

Cincinnati still has two very nice trade chips in Tyler Mahle and Brandon Drury. While neither player will bring the type of return that Castillo did, one could argue that Mahle will bring at least one Top 100 prospect. Perhaps Nick Krall has his sights set on a outfield prospect in future trade negotiations.

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