It appears the Baltimore Orioles have lost their chance to add a real ace to their rotation this winter. They not only failed to add Blake Snell, Max Fried, Garrett Crochet, Jesus Luzardo, and others available via free agency or trade, but witnessed how the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Corbin Burnes, who spent the 2024 campaign with the O’s and delivered a 2.92 ERA, to a huge free agent deal.
The Orioles and Mariners have discussed a Luis Castillo deal
It has to be disappointing for Orioles fans to see how high-profile pitching targets disappeared from the market one by one for weeks. There might be some light at the end of the tunnel if they play their cards right, though.
“The Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles have had discussions about a possible trade for Luis Castillo to Baltimore in recent days, per @jonmorosi,” Kam Brice posted on X.
Castillo is aging and expensive. He recently turned 32 and is slated to make $24.15 million each of the next three years, with a vesting option for 2028 if he pitches 180 frames in 2027. That doesn’t mean he can’t help the Orioles, though.
The Orioles could use someone like Castillo
The talented right-hander pitched 175.1 innings in 2024, accumulating a 3.64 ERA and a 3.91 FIP. His 24.3 percent strikeout rate was slightly below his career mark of 26.2 percent, but it wasn’t that far off. The 2.3 fWAR he put up was also slightly below the expectation for such an expensive pitcher, but Castillo might still help in the right scenarios and circumstances.
What does this mean for the Orioles? Well, they might be able to acquire Castillo for a relatively low return if they can negotiate. It’s unclear what the Mariners are asking for, but it’s clear his best years are behind him. Will the O’s pull off a move for the veteran righty?
