Specifically, Rosenthal names the Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, and Orioles as the teams to have touched base with the Mariners on the righty. He reports that interest in Castillo jumped following the massive contract that lefty Max Fried received from the New York Yankees.

Rosenthal notes that there is some hesitancy from the Mariners to trade Castillo, in large part due to their pitching depth behind their current rotation, but moving his contract would allow them to pursue offensive help on the open market that they otherwise might not be able to afford, including the likes of Christian Walker.

Castillo, 32, has been one of the more dependable starters in baseball since he debuted with the Reds in 2017. For his career, he has posted a 3.56 ERA with a WHIP of 1.18, and roughly 9.7 strikeouts every nine innings. 2024 was a down year for him all things considered, seeing his K/9 drop from 10.0 to 9.0, he made three fewer starts, and his fWAR dropped from 3.3 to 2.3. He is in the midst of a hefty contract with the Mariners, and is owed $68.5 million over the final three years of his contract.

The Mets are in need of at least one more starter in their rotation, if just that. The Mets have made a few moves for their rotation, but are missing a legitimate playoff-caliber starter to slot into the void left by new Athletic Luis Severino and current free agent Sean Manaea. Very likely, the Mets will need to add a pair of legitimate starters. Castillo would absolutely fit that bill, and could become one of the stronger starters in the Mets’ rotation.