Predicting 3 different outcomes for 3 different Reds stars in 2022

The Reds should trade pitcher Luis Castillo.

The writing is on the wall with this one. Luis Castillo will be one of the most sought-after pitchers at the trade deadline this summer and the Cincinnati Reds front office would be foolish not to take the best offer possible for their ace.

The future of the Cincinnati starting rotation does not have Luis Castillo in it. After seeing Graham Ashcraft, Hunter Greene, and Nick Lodolo make their major league debuts this season, the Reds have a good, young core of starters to build around.

That doesn't even take into consideration Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson, both of whom are likely to end the 2022 season in the Louisville Bats' starting rotation. There's also young hurlers like Joe Boyle and Connor Phillips who will be looking to make some noise next season.

Luis Castillo has made six starts this season and looks to have blown the dust off after beginning the season the IL. Castillo is 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 34 strikeouts on the season.

The Cincinnati Reds do not seem willing to commit to Castillo over the long haul, and to be quite frank, I don't blame them. Castillo will be 30 years old this winter and it's going to take every bit of seven year commitment to keep the right-hander in the Queen City.

The Reds would be better served to invest in their young talent like Tyler Stephenson, Jonathan India, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Jose Barrero. Throwing $20M-plus per season at Luis Castillo at this point in his career is not the right path for the Cincinnati Reds to take.