Report: Mariners among teams interested in Reds' Castillo
The Seattle Mariners are one of the teams that's checked in on Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The Mariners were surprisingly in the playoff hunt until the final day of the season and seem poised to make additions this winter in an attempt to end their 20-year postseason drought. Seattle ultimately finished with a 90-72 record, two games back of the AL wild card.
Castillo, 28, authored a 3.98 ERA and 3.75 FIP over 187 2/3 innings this year, making 33 starts. For his career, Castillo boasts a 3.72 ERA and 3.76 FIP over 707 1/3 innings. The former All-Star is under team control through 2023 and entering his second year of arbitration eligibility.
The unexpectedly competitive Mariners didn't get much help from their starting rotation, which ranked 11th in the AL by FanGraphs WAR with a 4.61 ERA (ninth) and 4.66 FIP (11th). Chris Flexen anchored the staff, leading the club with 179 2/3 innings, a 3.61 ERA, and 3.0 WAR.
After rebuilding for the past few seasons, the Mariners possess one of the best farm systems in baseball. Though outfielder Jarred Kelenic graduated this past year, the system is still headlined by outfielder Julio Rodriguez and shortstop Noelvi Marte, as well as right-handers George Kirby and Emerson Hancock.
The Reds, who finished 83-73 to go with the best run differential of any non-playoff team in the NL, seem to be cutting payroll. The club sent Wade Miley to the division-rival Chicago Cubs via waivers instead of picking up his $10-million option.