Luis Castillo Could Bolster An Already Strong Rotation

[Matthew Lenz]

 

The Minnesota Twins enter the deadline in a precarious position, needing to fix a bullpen that has performed as one of the worst in the league after last year's deadline left the relief corps thin. On the other hand, their rotation is strong (especially considering injuries). Tom Pohlad's stated desire to compete complicates a straightforward sell-off, suggesting they could look to flip impending free agents for pieces that address the bullpen need while still building for years beyond this season.
 

Or, the Twins could surprise everyone and decide to strengthen a rotation that has performed well despite a seemingly endless run of injuries.

One option who's been on the market is Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com is reporting that the Seattle Mariners are willing to eat part of Luis Castillo's contract to help facilitate a deal.

Castillo, 33, has had a down year, posting a 4.85 ERA (4.37 FIP) with a 12.9% strikeout-minus-walk rate across 94 2/3 innings. This comes after seven consecutive seasons of sub-4 FIPs and five straight seasons of a K-BB north of 15%. Despite all that success, a down 2026, an impending lockout, and a $24+ million salary for the next two years make him a little less attractive on the open market. He also has a vesting option for 2028 that locks in if he reaches the 180 IP mark in 2027. It's not clear if that number gets prorated based on a lockout/shortened season.

Do you think the Twins should make a move for the southpaw? Join the conversation in the comments!

 

 

 

View full rumor

[Dman]

Hey if Tom wants to put his money where mouth is here's a great way to do it.  The more Salary the Twins take on the less prospect capital there would be.  Do a reverse Correa here?

He looks pretty cooked to me.  I'd stay away since he could have two years left after this one if he pitches enough innings.  I'd rather use that money elsewhere.  Let someone else do the M;s a favor. The M's have been looking for someone to take on the contract since last year.

[amjgt]

I’m open to any deal that improves the team. I’m not going to claim to know how much he would improve the team this year and beyond, but adding “name” players who are currently struggling with the idea that you can bring back the good old days, always seems like an uphill battle. 
 

It seems like Seattle knows that his contract is flirting with being underwater, given what he’s still owed, so either it wouldn’t take a ton of prospect capital to add him, or you’d be getting the Mariners to eat a good chunk of money. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I'm much more interested in trading for Emerson Hancock and am willing to give up real value to get him. Castillo is done. He doesn't move the needle for me. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Is he a good teammate? Would he be good in the clubhouse? He certainly has playoff experience, and even if he is in the later years of his playing career, he still would get you 5 or 6 innings most starts.

I don't love the idea of making sure he is on the roster for 2028, but I'd be surprised if he can get to 180 innings next year. That said, if he does, that's not a bad thing.

The quick google search I found had Bryce Miller speak volumes on how much Castillo has helped him grow as a pitcher. That wouldn't be bad to add to our rotation either. And frankly, since he has taken on the role of a 6th starter at times, it seems like he is open to that idea too.

[HarmonK03]

We don't want to pay for Joe Ryan in his mid to late thirties, but we are willing for Castillo.  Someone please explain that logic to me.

[Coach]

No.

[Mike Sixel]

18 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I'm much more interested in trading for Emerson Hancock and am willing to give up real value to get him. Castillo is done. He doesn't move the needle for me. 

This. 109 percent this.

[Vanimal46]

If you want to visit the ghost of Christmas future after extending Joe Ryan, let me introduce you to Luis Castillo. 

[mnfireman]

17 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

We don't want to pay for Joe Ryan in his mid to late thirties, but we are willing for Castillo.  Someone please explain that logic to me.

Same as others suggesting to trade for Volpe or Neto when Culpepper and Houston (and others) are close...

[Cory Engelhardt]

6 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

If you want to visit the ghost of Christmas future after extending Joe Ryan, let me introduce you to Luis Castillo. 

In reality though he is only signed through 2027. And if we had 5 Joe Ryan's I'd agree with your argument.

Would I like a younger and cheaper pitcher with more upside too? Yeah.

Can this guy still give you innings to keep you in a game? I do think so. And if they are not wanting to trade away the top of their prospect pool (which I agree with) then this is someone who theoretically upgrade from everyone not currently named Ryan or Bradley in the rotation, and for sure help preserve Prielipp's innings among others.

Again, not my first choice. But IF this move were made, you get the rationale, right? At least for the last 2 months of 2026 before 2027 and the unknown? 

[Vanimal46]

6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

In reality though he is only signed through 2027. And if we had 5 Joe Ryan's I'd agree with your argument.

Would I like a younger and cheaper pitcher with more upside too? Yeah.

Can this guy still give you innings to keep you in a game? I do think so. And if they are not wanting to trade away the top of their prospect pool (which I agree with) then this is someone who theoretically upgrade from everyone not currently named Ryan or Bradley in the rotation, and for sure help preserve Prielipp's innings among others.

Again, not my first choice. But IF this move were made, you get the rationale, right? At least for the last 2 months of 2026 before 2027 and the unknown? 

I think you're looking at him from a nostalgic viewpoint. He's been pretty bad this year. He's not better than Ober, Priellipp, or even Paredes this season. 

[olerud]

0% interest! 

[DataNerd]

39 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

We don't want to pay for Joe Ryan in his mid to late thirties, but we are willing for Castillo.  Someone please explain that logic to me.

They would likely be paying about all of this year's salary and half of next years with us giving them a prospect outside of the org top 100, so it's essentially 1/10, with the potential for an extra year if he bounces back enough to be able to go 180 IP next year.  Not sure I would be that interested, but we aren't breaking the bank for him

[thelanges5]

BIG rotation question mark will be answered when Joe pitches on Weds!

[MGX]

Huh?  Castillo has been awful in this his 33 year old this season. He is making roughly 25 million AAV through 2027 with a vesting option for 2028. How would this be good for the Twins in any way???

[DocBauer]

Ummm...first of all, he's not a southpaw. He's RH.

Secondly, if we were to grab an older player, I'd rather have a rental than being potentially "stuck" with Castillo, his contract, and possible decline.

I don't know Seattle's roster well enough to make an exact suggestion, but why not Jeffers, one of maybe Gonzalez or Mendez, and  either Wallner as a potential rebound throw-in, or another solod mid range prospect for Hancock and a solid pen arm?

The Mariners get a high end bat for now...that they could also re-sign...and get another talented young bat, and whatever 3rd option makes the deal work.

[Mike Sixel]

49 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

In reality though he is only signed through 2027. And if we had 5 Joe Ryan's I'd agree with your argument.

Would I like a younger and cheaper pitcher with more upside too? Yeah.

Can this guy still give you innings to keep you in a game? I do think so. And if they are not wanting to trade away the top of their prospect pool (which I agree with) then this is someone who theoretically upgrade from everyone not currently named Ryan or Bradley in the rotation, and for sure help preserve Prielipp's innings among others.

Again, not my first choice. But IF this move were made, you get the rationale, right? At least for the last 2 months of 2026 before 2027 and the unknown? 

He's worse than every current starter. 

[darin617]

Was this written by AI? Castillo is not a lefty. I'm not sure if I would want him if Seattle paid the entire contract. 

He wouldn't even be the 5th starter if he was on the team right now. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

He's worse than every current starter. 

Really? Zebby had one good start against Oakland and now you're certain it's smooth sailing for him? Prielipp is already past his innings limit and will probably be shut down, and Paredes is hurt. This rotation is held by duct tape no? I certainly would trust him in a playoff start right now over Ober as the 3rd starter, but to each their own.

That said, it would be more fun to go younger. I'd be curious how much they are willing to trade. I don't anticipate moving TOP prospects though.

[Vanimal46]

10 minutes ago, darin617 said:

Was this written by AI? Castillo is not a lefty.

I'm sure he used a previous template with the random call to action sentence at the end... 

[thelanges5]

Hancock is the Mariners pitcher I’d target. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Really? Zebby had one good start against Oakland and now you're certain it's smooth sailing for him? Prielipp is already past his innings limit and will probably be shut down, and Paredes is hurt. This rotation is held by duct tape no? I certainly would trust him in a playoff start right now over Ober as the 3rd starter, but to each their own.

That said, it would be more fun to go younger. I'd be curious how much they are willing to trade. I don't anticipate moving TOP prospects though.

Zebby is definitely better. He has more quality starts than not this year. It's not one good start. If you want to fix the rotation, great, go get an actually good pitcher. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Zebby is definitely better. He has more quality starts than not this year. It's not one good start. If you want to fix the rotation, great, go get an actually good pitcher. 

I agree. I'd prefer, very much, someone like Gausman if it is a rental. But mostly I just don't want to not do anything.

[Mike Sixel]

20 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I agree. I'd prefer, very much, someone like Gausman if it is a rental. But mostly I just don't want to not do anything.

Fair. I also want decisive action.