The Seattle Mariners now have a new avenue to consider as they shape their roster.
For the past three seasons, Luis Castillo’s contract included a full no-trade clause — but that provision has now expired.
Castillo isn’t someone the Mariners need to trade, but Bleacher Report listed him as the most likely Mariner to be moved this offseason. Seattle still owes him more than $73 million, which factors into the discussion.
“It’s not likely Seattle would move Castillo,” B/R noted. “We could just as easily point to a prospect like 21-year-old infielder Michael Arroyo. But now that they’ve re-signed Josh Naylor, moving the remaining $73.3 million owed to La Piedra would help their bottom line. And with the no-trade clause gone, the Mariners have far more flexibility to shop him than they did last winter.”
Seattle does have enough young pitching to absorb such a move. With Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby leading the rotation, the team is already in strong shape.
The Mariners don’t face many major roster holes, though replacing free agents Eugenio Suárez and/or Jorge Polanco could become necessary if they depart.
If traded, Castillo would most likely go to a contender and bring back prospects rather than established MLB pieces. Given his remaining club control and consistent production, he could fetch a solid package of young talent.
The bigger question is whether the Mariners actually want to move him — something that remains doubtful, even if the option is now on the table.