Three-time All-Star starting pitcher Luis Castillo could potentially be available for trade this offseason, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are not viewed as the leading candidates for the Dominican pitcher. The Seattle Mariners are currently seeking infield help and, to address this need, they may look to trade from their strong pitching rotation, which is considered one of the best in Major League Baseball. The Mariners have five reliable starters, including four young pitchers and the seasoned Castillo, who is the primary player Seattle might consider moving. However, the Mariners would likely require both an infielder and a starting pitcher in exchange to fill the gap left by Castillo.
While the Dodgers have already added two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to their rotation on a five-year deal, they may still look to strengthen their pitching staff further. Castillo would be an attractive option for Los Angeles, especially considering his reasonable contract, which owes him just $68.25 million over the next three years. The Dodgers could offer second baseman Gavin Lux as a potential trade piece. Lux, who missed the entirety of the 2023 season due to ACL surgery, struggled early in the 2024 season but bounced back strongly in the second half, finishing with a .304/.390/.508 slash line and playing a key role in the Dodgers securing the National League West title. Lux would likely form a platoon at second base with Dylan Moore, the Mariners’ 2024 American League Gold Glove winner who is versatile enough to play both shortstop and second base.
Despite Lux’s solid performance, MLB Trade Rumors’ Nick Deeds suggests that this combination might not be enough to convince the Mariners to part with Castillo. Deeds notes that even if the Dodgers added young starter Landon Knack, who posted a 3.65 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 2023, it might not be sufficient to make the deal happen. Knack pitched out of the bullpen during the Dodgers’ World Series run but struggled in the NL Championship Series, which could make the Mariners hesitant to accept him in a trade. As strong as Lux and Knack were for the Dodgers this season, Deeds considers the chances of them securing Castillo to be slim.
