Former Reds GM suggests perfect trade package for Luis Castillo

Cincinnati Reds fans may not be too keen on Jim Bowden's time as the team's general manager, but he may be onto something in his most recent contribution for The Athletic (subscription required).

Bowden, who now writes for the subscription-based website, will often take questions from readers. This week, Bowden was asked by The Athletics' staff writer Chad Jennings about a trade that would make a real splash for the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox have yet to be mentioned among those teams interested in trading for Reds starter Luis Castillo, but it stands to reason that they would be. While Boston is well behind the feverish-pace set by the New York Yankees in the AL East, the Red Sox lead the chase for the Wild Card.

Could the Reds and Red Sox make a deal for Luis Castillo?

Chad Jennings made the suggestion of trading prospects Nick Yorke and Chris Murphy along with former Reds shortstop Jeter Downs to Cincinnati. In return, Boston would receive Luis Castillo. Jennings noted that this was merely a suggestion to see if the Red Sox had what it's going to take to pry Castillo away from the Reds.

Yorke is a Top 100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but his primary position is second base. That alone is enough for me to dismiss the idea. Jonathan India has that position on lockdown for the foreseeable future.

Murphy is an intriguing prospect, and one that could pique the Reds' interest. The left-hander is a middle-of-the-rotation starter who has nearly 100 punch outs and a 2.58 ERA in just 15 games this season.

The idea of bring Jeter Downs back to Cincinnati is just plain silly. The Reds are already prolonging the minor league career of Jose Barrero while Kyle Farmer mans the starting shortstop position in the major leagues. The Reds also have Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz down on the farm.

Former Reds GM lays out the perfect trade proposal for Luis Castillo.

In his response to Chad Jennings' trade submission, Jim Bowden admitted to liking the idea of the Red Sox pursuing Luis Castillo. However, Bowden had a different proposal all together. He suggested that, from the Reds' perspective, Triston Casas has to be part of any trade involving Castillo.

"(Triston) Casas and (Brayan) Bello gets Castillo, but that price to me would be too steep from the Red Sox perspective."

- Jim Bowden, The Athletic

Bowden is absolutely correct. If any team wishes to play ball with the Cincinnati Reds and attempt to make a deal for La Piedra, it's going to cost you. In this case, if Boston wants Castillo bad enough, it's going to cost them one of their best prospects.

Casas was the Red Sox first-round pick in 2018 and possesses big-time power. Casas also plays first base, a position that could become vacant after Joey Votto's contract expires following the 2023 season.

I absolutely love this trade proposal, but as Bowden says, that price is likely too steep for the Red Sox. However, in the current market, with Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas being the only impact arms likely to be available, that's what it's going to cost.