The Baltimore Orioles made a huge trade for starting pitcher Corbin Burnes last February. The right-hander only spent one year with the club before bolting for a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Will general manager Mike Elias land Seattle Mariners veteran hurler Luis Castillo to replace him in the rotation?
Following two straight disappointing trips to the postseason, the Orioles are looking to get over the hump in 2025 and make a deep run into October. They'll likely need an ace at the top of the rotation to help make that possible.
While they've signed Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano to join the starting staff, Castillo would be perfect to insert at the top. He's started at least 30 games each of the last two seasons, resulting in a 25-21 record with a 3.48 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 394 strikeouts in 372 1/3 innings.
What might it take for the Orioles to land the 32-year-old three-time All-Star? Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer shared the following hypothetical trade:
- Orioles receive: right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo
- Mariners receive: first baseman Ryan Mountcastle
"Yes, (Castillo is) 32 and he was basically league-average in 2024. But he's typically good for 30-plus starts, and that fastball of his is still an effective weapon," Rymer wrote. "(Ken) Rosenthal's report claims that the Orioles are not inclined to move any of their prized youngsters, but Mountcastle's name was not on the list. Nor should it be, as he could be quickly replaced by top prospect Coby Mayo."
Castillo will earn $24.15 million in 2025, part of a five-year, $108 million extension he signed with Seattle. He's under contract through 2027 and has a vesting option for the 2028 season, per Spotrac.
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