Report: Cardinals, Mariners, Yankees most hotly pursuing Castillo, Montas
The top two starting pitchers available on the trade market are generating plenty of interest, with three clubs appearing to lead the way.
The St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and New York Yankees are reportedly the teams most hotly pursuing Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo and Oakland Athletics righty Frankie Montas, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and San Diego Padres have also been in the market for starting pitchers, Passan adds.
Castillo, 29, is posting a career-best 2.77 ERA with a 3.04 FIP in 78 innings over 13 starts this year. The two-time All-Star is under team control through the 2023 campaign, with another season of arbitration eligibility.
Like Castillo, Montas is also 29 and under team control for one more year beyond this season. The right-hander earned down-ballot Cy Young consideration last campaign and has been even better this year, authoring a 3.18 ERA and 3.36 FIP over 104 2/3 innings while making 19 starts.
Both pitchers are considered the top starters available ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, topping a market that also potentially includes Texas Rangers lefty Martin Perez, Boston Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi, and Castillo's teammate Tyler Mahle.
Yankees starters rank sixth in the majors, according to FanGraphs WAR, collectively owning a 3.31 ERA and 3.68 FIP buoyed by ace Gerrit Cole and breakout star Nestor Cortes Jr.
The Mariners and Cardinals, however, have a more dire need for rotation help, ranking 21st and 27th, respectively, while battling for wild-card spots.
St. Louis, in particular, is dealing with a beleaguered starting staff, with Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, and most recently Steven Matz hitting the injured list. The club currently owns a 4.09 ERA and 4.34 FIP.
The Cardinals have also recently been considered a potential front-runner for Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto.
Meanwhile, Seattle's rotation woes have somewhat abated, with the club's starters posting the sixth-best ERA in the majors in July. Rookie star George Kirby has led the way, authoring a sterling 1.65 ERA and 1.59 FIP over three starts.