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Share✓ Link copied to clipboard! The Seattle Mariners had one of baseball’s best starting rotations in 2024, but their general lack of offense is what prevented them from clinching a spot in the postseason. Veteran hurler Luis Castillo has been the subject of trade rumors this winter. Could Seattle ship him to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for shortstop Bo Bichette?Castillo has been a consistent force in the Mariners’ rotation. However, he’s the most expensive pitcher of the bunch since he’s in the middle of a five-year, $108 million deal. Dealing from an area of surplus on their roster to upgrade the offense seems like a good idea.
TORONTO, ON – JULY 19: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs onto the field prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on July 19, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario,…
TORONTO, ON – JULY 19: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs onto the field prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on July 19, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Ballcap Sports’ Jim Riley spent time evaluating hypothetical trades in a recent video. He discussed a one-for-one swap between Seattle and Toronto that would see Bichette and Castillo switch places, and it’s something he thinks needs to happen.”Get Bo Bichette. You have one year of Bo. It improves your offense. Try to work out an extension,” Riley said. “If you can’t work out the extension, at least Castillo has turned into something that helps you with the bats and saves you some money. You can go add another piece.”If you do this, you could maybe get in the market for, if you wanted to grab Jack Flaherty because you feel like you need to replace Castillo, and maybe more likely if you do this trade.”Bichette had a down year in 2024, posting a .598 OPS in 81 games played. However, the two-time All-Star has put together a solid track record of production before that rough year. From 2021-23, he posted a .815 OPS, while averaging 24 home runs, 34 doubles, 89 RBI, and 94 runs scored per season.He’s set to earn just over $17.5 million in 2025, his final season of a three-year, $33.6 million extension he signed with Toronto.More MLB: Mets Would Land $28 Million Pete Alonso Replacement in 5-Player Trade Idea
