The Reds should not trade Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo just yet

The Cincinnati Reds should hang on to starters Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray, for now.

There have been plenty of rumors surrounding both right-handers this offseason, with Castillo and Gray drawing trade interest from clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners.

The Reds should hang onto their starters for now.

Don't look now, but the market for starting pitchers is about to get red hot.

It would seem, with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in a few weeks, several teams are trying to set their rotation before a work stoppage.

Just yesterday, José Berríos signed a seven-year/$131M extension with the Toronto Blue Jays.

If Reds fans are hoping for Luis Castillo to remain in Cincinnati, that's the type of deal La Piedra will be looking for.

The Los Angeles Angels, yesterday, signed Noah Syndergaard to a one-year/$21M contract.

Syndergaard has thrown in just two innings over the last two seasons. Forgive me, but that's insane!

Not only are the Angels offering a huge contract to Thor, but they're also sacrificing a second-round draft pick, as Syndergaard was extended a qualifying offer by the New York Mets.

And just wait. You'll see a whole slew of contracts handed out to the likes of Justin Verlander (38 years old), Max Scherzer (37 years old), and Zack Greinke (38 years old).

While all three are former Cy Young Award-winners, they're certainly no longer in their prime. That said, Scherzer is likely to take home the Cy Young Award for a fourth time tonight.

The point is, there's a high price to pay for starting pitching, and the Cincinnati Reds are sitting on a gold mine.

Reds pitchers Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray have huge trade value.

The Cincinnati Reds lost Wade Miley to the Chicago Cubs for nothing, and I don't think we're going to see Nick Krall make the same mistake with Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo.

Gray is under a very team-friendly deal for 2022 with an option for 2023. Castillo has two years of team control remaining and will likely take home $7M-plus in 2022.

Gray alone should command a Top 100 prospect on the trade market, and trading Castillo could net the Reds a huge haul.

Cincinnati's front office should stand pat, allow the free agent market to play out, and see what teams are left out in the cold.

If Anthony DeSclafani and Kevin Gausman sign elsewhere this winter, the San Francisco Giants will be desperate for starting pitching.

What type of deal might the Los Angeles Dodgers try to swing if Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw find new homes in 2022?

The Toronto Blue Jays might lose Robbie Ray. The Boston Red Sox already saw Eduardo Rodriguez sign with the Detroit Tigers.

There are also teams like the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins who'll be looking to add a starter or two in order to compete in 2022.

The point is, the Cincinnati Reds should be in no rush to trade Sonny Gray or Luis Castillo.

Both right-handers are affordable, and a shrinking market will increase demand. Being patient will only help the Reds restock their farm system.