Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Report: Reds' Luis Castillo 'one of the most coveted' pitchers on trade market

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/24/21

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo is reportedly "one of the most coveted" pitchers on the trade market, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

However, the Reds are unlikely to trade Castillo, who isn't eligible for free agency until 2023, Morosi adds.

Baseball update: Luis Castillo is one of the most coveted pitchers on the @MLB trade market, with a 1.76 ERA over his past 9 starts. For now, however, a trade remains unlikely. Castillo, 28, isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2023 season. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2021

Castillo is 3-10 in 20 starts this season with a 4.39 ERA, 1.408 WHIP and 104 strikeouts across 108.2 innings. However, he owns a 1.76 ERA over his last nine starts.

The 28-year-old has spent his entire five-year career with the Reds. His best season came in 2019 when he went 15-8 and earned his only All-Star selection.

The Reds are second in the NL Central with a 50-47 record, but they're 6.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. With the team unlikely to contend for a World Series title, it wouldn't be surprising to see it move Castillo this summer.

The Dominican native will be 29 this offseason and require a big payday within the next few years. With his value currently high, the Reds might at least explore what they can get in exchange for the talented pitcher.

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