The New York Yankees will likely be in the market for a starting pitcher this season following the injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. To this point, the starting rotation hasn't killed them, but once the offense cools down a bit, this could change.
One name that's been connected to the Yankees for months is Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo. Castillo has about $72 million left on his contract plus a vesting option in 2028.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller recently listed Castillo as one of the best trade chips of the season.
"While that ship has sailed, the 32-year-old ace could still be on the trade block this summer, if managing a grand total of eight runs during the season-opening four-game series against the Athletics is a sign of what's to come once again from this offense," Miller wrote. "Now, whether they'll be able to find a trade partner who A) needs a starting pitcher, B) can afford what's left on Castillo's contract, and C) has a surplus bat that would actually help the Mariners is a different story. It probably needs to be a three-team deal to make that happen."
Castillo is a tough name to discuss on the trade block. He would need to clear a trade because of his no-trade clause, and the amount of money left on his deal is a lot for the receiving team to take on.
The Yankees could be the perfect landing spot, though, as long as Castillo would accept a deal there. New York could send either Spencer Jones or Everson Pereira over to Seattle to help the Mariners' offense, as well as take on the rest of Castillo's contract.
It's still to be seen if the Mariners will shop him this season.
