The Seattle Mariners had high hopes for the acquisition of Luis Castillo, but ultimately lost out on the opportunity to add the talented pitcher to their roster. On July 30th, the Texas Rangers acquired Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for two minor league prospects.
Castillo, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher, was one of the most sought-after pitchers on the trade market this season. He had a 3.12 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 18 starts this season, and was considered one of the best pitchers available. The Mariners were reportedly interested in Castillo, but were unable to match the Rangers’ offer.
The loss of Castillo is a major blow to the Mariners’ playoff hopes. The team is currently in fourth place in the American League West, and is in need of a boost to their pitching staff if they are to make a run at the postseason. The addition of Castillo would have provided a much-needed boost to the Mariners’ rotation, and could have been the difference between making and missing the playoffs.
The Mariners will now have to look elsewhere for pitching help. They could look to the trade market for another starter, or they could look to promote a minor leaguer to fill the void. Either way, it’s clear that the Mariners need to make a move if they are to make a serious run at the postseason.
The loss of Castillo is a tough pill to swallow for the Mariners, but it’s not the end of the world. The team still has plenty of time to make a move and improve their chances of making the playoffs. If they can find another starter who can provide quality innings, then they still have a chance to make some noise in the AL West.
