Trade talks surrounding Luis Castillo heat up with a familiar team joining the conversation

You knew it was only a matter of time before the New York Yankees came calling. According to Peter Gammons of The Athletic (subscription required), not only are the Bronx Bombers interested in trading for Luis Castillo, but the Cincinnati Reds have actually been scouting a pitcher in the Yankees' organization.

According to Gammons, New York's GM Brian Cashman is going to make a run at both Castillo and Oakland Athletics' starting pitcher Frankie Montas. This should not come as a surprise as Castillo has long been rumored to be coveted by the Yankees.

Castillo was shelved during the early part of the 2022 season, but he's now started nine games and owns a respectable 3.71 ERA with 49 punch outs over 51 innings. The biggest selling point for Castillo, beyond his raw talent, is that he's under team control through next season.

Latest Reds rumors suggest the New York Yankees are interest in Luis Castillo.

The more interesting part of Peter Gammons' reporting isn't that the Yankees are pursuing Luis Castillo; I think an overwhelming majority of Reds fans assumed that was the case. But Gammons mentioned Yankees' prospect Will Warren as a pitcher whom the Reds have scouted.

Warren was New York's eighth-round draft choice last year, and according to MLB Pipeline, is ranked 27th in the Yankees' farm system. Warren has 13 starts between High-A and Double-A this season and has posted a combined ERA of 3.39 with 63 strikeouts in 61 innings of work.

Obviously, any potential deal for Castillo would net Cincinnati more than last year's 243rd-overall selection. But if these latest Reds rumors are to be believed, perhaps Warren would be part of three or four player package.

The Yankees have several top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, but it remains to be seen if Brian Cashman would be willing to part with some of their younger talent like outfielder Jasson Dominguez, shortstop Oswald Peraza, or catcher Austin Wells.

Again, these latest Reds rumors should come as a shock. Among those teams interested in trading for Luis Castillo, the New York Yankees may have one of the better farm systems. Cincinnati Reds GM Nick Krall has to get this right. We'll see if the Reds and Yankees can work out another blockbuster trade in the coming weeks.