The Cincinnati Reds have a prime trade chip in starting pitcher Luis Castillo, and the New York Yankees, even if they don’t have such a pressing need in the staff, should be open to doing business as long as the price is right for them.
The Yankees have been linked with the 29-year-old starter for years, but the Reds have a pretty high price tag on him, and that hasn’t changed.
The New York Post reports:
“Top-of-the-line starter Luis Castillo plus late-blooming infielder Brandon Drury look like headliners in this environment. … The Twins, Padres and Mets are among many teams in on Castillo, and it’s no surprise the Reds seek a “top” prospect, such as Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza from the Yankees — who check on everyone but actually have a more pressing need, anyway (an outfielder of course)”
The Yankees will likely keep Volpe
The Yankees are not going to trade Volpe for anyone unless it’s a young star with at least three or four years of cheap control. They might be more open to dealing Peraza, but he is seen as a potential option to take over shortstop at some point this year.
Castillo started the year on the injured list, but is now healthy and has a 3.06 ERA and 24.7 percent strikeout rate in 64 innings. He would be a great addition for the Yankees, but they would need to either use a six-man rotation or bump one of the pitchers to the bullpen, which seems unlikely.
If the Yankees are going to trade a top prospect, they will likely do it for a shortstop or an outfielder, but the organization has always liked Castillo and can’t be counted out as a result. The Reds have a lot of leverage this year, since Frankie Montas, the other ace potentially available via trade, is currently out with shoulder inflammation.