Reds should take advantage of Mariners' desperation after Red Sox trade talks crumble

The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly still in the market for a starting pitcher. After missing out on Garrett Crochet, the Reds have shown interest in free agent pitcher Nick Pivetta. Those rumors are rather puzzling considering that Pivetta rejected a qualifying offer, meaning that draft compensation is attached to his signing.

But the Reds aren't the only ball club still looking to bolster their starting rotation this offseason. The Boston Red Sox, who traded for Crochet earlier this month, also picked up former Los Angeles Dodgers' starter Walker Buehler. The right-hander inked a one-year deal with the BoSox last week, but Boston had their eye on another pitcher prior to their free agent pact with Buehler.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Red Sox were looking to acquire to former Reds starter Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners. Castillo's name has appeared in trade rumors of late, as the Mariners are feverishly looking to upgrade their lineup. If the Reds are truly still interested in adding another starting pitcher, perhaps it's time for Nick Krall to give Jerry Dipoto a phone call.

Reds should take advantage of Mariners' desperation and trade for Luis Castillo

Castillo was adored by the Reds' fanbase, and with good reason. During his tenure in Cincinnati, posted a 3.62 ERA, struck out 860 total batters, and went to two All-Star Games. Castillo was dealt to the Mainers in 2022 for a trade package that included Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo. The Mariners then inked Castillo to a five-year, $108 million contract extension — a deal that looks incredibly favorable by today's standards.

Feinsand's report revealed that Seattle was targeting Boston's first baseman Triston Casas in trade talks. The conversation broke down when the Mariners refused to take on Masataka Yoshida's contract as part of the deal. The Red Sox outfielder is owed $55.8 million over the next three seasons.

Would a trade package centered around Reds' slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand be enough lure Castillo back to the Queen City? Encarnacion-Strand is comparable to Casas in both age and production. Casas has more Major League experience, but enters free agency a year sooner than Encarnacion-Strand.

Could the Reds build a trade package for Luis Castillo around Christian Encarnacion-Strand?

Casas' left-handed swing is a better fit for T-Mobile Park, but it's likely that CES could still do some damage in that pitcher's paradise. Both players are natural first basemen, though each has battled injuries during the early-part of their careers.

Few free agent hitters want to join the Mariners. Seattle is where offensive juggernauts go to die. The Reds have a similar issue when it comes to luring free agent pitchers to spend half their season in the hitter-friendly confines of Great American Ball Park. With that, the Mariners' best option to upgrade their lineup will come through trades rather than free agency.

The Reds have an abundance of starters already on the roster, but you can never have enough pitching. Adding Castillo — who's under contract through at least 2027 — could also allow Krall to trade one of young starters (Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Chase Burns, or Rhett Lowder) for an outfield bat.

Castillo had a down-year by his standards, but the right-hander still has one of the most devastating fastballs in the game. If upgrading the starting rotation remains a priority, the Reds should shift their focus from Pivetta to Castillo and take advantage of the Mariners' desperation this offseason.

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