Reds starters Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray drawing interest from Dodgers

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers have interest in a pair of the Cincinnati Reds starting pitchers.

The latest Reds rumors suggest that LA is targeting both Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo. This should come as no surprise to Reds Country as ownership is looking to slash payroll this offseason.

Latest Reds rumors could see Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo headed to LA.

Reds GM Nick Krall has been tasked with reducing Cincinnati's payroll for the 2022 season.

That's a monumental task when two of the team's highest-paid players (Eugenio Suárez and Mike Moustakas) have underperformed the past two seasons.

While Geno and Moose are not likely to gain much attention on the trade market, these latest Reds rumors suggest that Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray will be some of the hottest names to watch this winter.

We've already heard Castillo's name come in trade rumors. In fact, both Castillo and Gray were rumored to be headed elsewhere last offseason as well.

Both right-handers had solid, yet unspectacular 2021 campaigns. Castillo's first two months saw the 28-year-old post a 1-8 record and 7.22 ERA.

La Piedra righted the ship, however, and put up a 2.73 ERA after June 1st. Castillo has two years of team-control remaining before becoming a free agent.

Sonny Gray went 7-9 and his injury-plagued campaign only allowed the 32-year-old to start 26 games in 2021.

Still, Gray posted a 4.19 ERA, but his 3.24 xERA and 3.66xFIP suggest the right-hander's stuff was better than the numbers show.

What might the Reds receive in return from the Dodgers? That's a good question. LA's farm system is ranked No. 16 in baseball per MLB Pipeline; their lowest ranking since 2015.

With Krall stating previously that the Reds are looking "align our payroll to our resources", the Cincinnati faithful better get used to these constant Reds rumors swirling around their two best starting pitchers.