Report: Yankees, Dodgers 'best-positioned to land' Reds pitcher Luis Castillo in trade

Two-time All-Star pitcher Luis Castillo is likely on the trade market as the Cincinnati Reds continue to sell off veteran assets to fuel their rebuild. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are the two favorites to land Castillo in a deal.

Castillo, 29, is set to appear in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game after accruing a 2.77 ERA through 13 starts this season. In his last four starts, he has allowed just three runs over 27 innings pitched. Despite his strong showings on the mound this season, Castillo has a 3-4 record with the struggling Reds. 

Cincinnati traded several players ahead of the 2022 season, including deals that moved pitcher Sonny Gray to the Minnesota Twins, outfielder Jesse Winker to the Seattle Mariners and reliever Amir Garrett to the Kansas City Royals.

The Reds began the season by losing 22 of their first 25 games but have rebounded to post a 31-33 record since that rough start. Still, Cincinnati is tied for last in the NL Central and is 15.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead. With a trip to the postseason highly unlikely for the team, moving Castillo for more youth to build around makes sense, especially considering the pitcher is on a one-year contract.

According to Heyman, the Yankees are unwilling to part with either of the Reds' top two targets: shortstop prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza. The MLB trade deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 2.