5 way-too-early NY Mets trade deadline targets to familiarize ourselves with

4) Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball. Since 2018, he has made at least 25 starts and now has five straight seasons with an ERA+ of 100 or greater (not including 2020). The veteran right-hander’s name has been tossed out during trade talks this winter, but no formal trade has materialized. The Mariners likely aren’t in a rush to move Castillo, given how many years are left on his contract, but could re-explore trade opportunities at the deadline.

Last season, Castillo pitched in 175.1 innings, working to a solid 3.64 ERA (101 ERA+), 3.91 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP. His 24.3% strikeout rate was above average, albeit a step down from his typical standards. Castillo’s 89.7 MPH exit velocity and 8.5% barrel rate were also unusually high for him. On the plus side, he put up a career-low 6.5% walk rate.

Although there were certainly some red flags in his peripherals, Castillo’s ERA estimators were not far off from his career averages. He had a 3.79 SIERA, compared to his career norm of 3.78. His 3.82 xFIP was also only a touch higher than his career line of 3.56. Castillo’s 3.91 xERA was also above average, clocking in at the 53rd percentile.

Like Cease, Castillo would be the sort of addition that the Mets would make to solidify their rotation down the stretch and into the playoffs. However, Castillo is not a rental. He is owed $72.45 million over the next three seasons ($24.15 million AAV), along with a $25 million vesting option for 2028. There is already a potential connection between Castillo and the Mets, and they showed interest in the veteran all-star this offseason.