The New York Mets face several gaps in their starting rotation this offseason. Reports suggest they’ve shown interest in various free-agent pitchers, with Corbin Burnes being a prime target. Another option for president of baseball operations David Stearns could be exploring trades to strengthen the rotation. One intriguing possibility is a deal with the Seattle Mariners for three-time All-Star Luis Castillo.
The right-handed ace will be in the third year of his five-year, $108 million contract by 2025. He is set to make $24.15 million annually over the next three seasons. Additionally, there’s a $25 million vesting option for 2028, which activates if he pitches over 180 innings in the preceding season, according to Spotrac.
Luis Castillo has been a consistent presence in the Mariners’ rotation, making over 30 starts in both 2023 and 2024. Over those two seasons, he has compiled a 25-21 record with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 394 strikeouts across 372 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old’s combination of reliability and strong performance makes him an appealing candidate for the Mets’ rotation. Castillo has demonstrated durability, recording at least 30 starts five times since 2018 and surpassing 170 innings in four of those seasons.
In a hypothetical scenario where the Mariners decide to move on from their highest-paid pitcher, they might seek a return package centered around a versatile player like Jeff McNeil, along with one or two promising prospects. Tim Boyle of FanSided’s *Rising Apple* suggests this combination could be enough to strike a deal.
Seattle’s pitching staff ranked among the best in MLB during the 2024 season, but their offense struggled significantly. The Mariners led the league in strikeouts with 1,625 and received particularly poor production from the second base position. Their second basemen posted a combined .658 OPS, placing 21st in the league.
Jeff McNeil has struggled to match his 2022 All-Star and batting title form, posting a .257/.323/.381 slash line across 1,120 plate appearances since the start of 2023. However, he showed signs of resurgence in the second half of 2024 before landing on the injured list, hitting .289/.376/.547 in 149 plate appearances after the All-Star break. Known for his versatility and low strikeout rate, McNeil’s ability to play multiple positions adds to his value.
The idea has merit, as it would allow the Mets to offload the remainder of McNeil’s $50 million contract while addressing a rotation need in a cost-effective way.
