Castillo, 29, is 4-4 with a 2.86 ERA (160 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP and 90 strikeouts against 28 walks in 85 innings this season. He made the All-Star team for the second time in his career and has shown the ability to play like an ace in extended stretches throughout his career. He’s in the midst of such a streak right now, in fact, as he’s 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last five starts (all Reds wins). He also struck out 41 in 34 innings. The Mariners have the longest playoff drought in North American men’s major sports. They haven’t been to the postseason since 2001. After missing just two games last year, they are in a playoff spot right now, going into Friday night 54-46 and holding the AL’s second wild card spot. The move signals general manager Jerry Dipoto’s willingness to be even more aggressive in ending the drought in question. With Castillo and 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, the Mariners now have a chance to get past their ace starters in two playoff games — and, remember, the wild-card round is now a three-game series. Thanks to the likes of Logan Gilbert and Marco Gonzales, they also have good rotation depth. Something to remember about Castillo, too, is that this isn’t necessarily just a move for the rest of the 2022 season. He’s still under team control until next season, as he won’t hit free agency until after the 2023 season. That is, even if things don’t go completely well the rest of this year, that would in no way cause the trade to plummet in the short term. As for the return:
Marte is a 20-year-old shortstop in High-A this season and was considered the top prospect the Mariners had, possibly a top-10 overall guy. He is hitting .270/.360/.460 with 19 doubles, 15 homers, 55 RBI, 61 runs and 12 steals in 84 games. Arroyo, 18, was the Mariners’ second-round pick last season out of high school. He was considered the Mariners’ third-best prospect. In 84 games at Class A this season, he hit .316/.385/.514 with 19 doubles, seven triples, 13 homers, 67 RBIs, 76 runs and 21 stolen bases. Stoudt, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, was the Mariners’ third-round pick out of Lehigh in 2019. In 18 Double-A starts this season, he is 6-6 with a 5.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 82 strikeouts against 22 walks in 87 innings. He was considered the Mariners’ fifth-best prospect. Moore, a 22-year-old right-handed reliever, was the Mariners’ 14th-round pick last year. MLB.com does not have him ranked among the Mariners’ top 30 prospects. In 25 starts for Class A, he has a 1.95 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 58 strikeouts against 17 walks in 32 1/3 innings.
Time will tell what the comeback looks like for the Reds, but it’s looking very long. On the Mariners’ end, Castillo contributing to a deep playoff run — which is certainly the goal — will make the move worthwhile.
