Willson Contreras and 3 other potential Mets trade targets not coming to Flushing this year

2) NY Mets trade target Luis Castillo isn’t coming here

There have been plenty of past Mets rumors with the name Luis Castillo connected to it. This dates back to the offseason when it was clear the Mets would make a move. They eventually did so by adding Chris Bassitt in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. The Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher might be the best available arm at this year’s trade deadline. Young and productive, he has team control beyond 2022 which makes him even more enticing to add.

The Mets just don’t have as great of a need to add to their rotation right now. Their guys are either healthy or getting healthier. David Peterson and Trevor Williams are their starting pitcher depth. So is Tylor Megill, an arm they can hopefully get back into the mix at some point later this year.

A dying need for adding a pitcher of Castillo’s caliber makes him a worse fit for the Mets. Most of all, it’s the light market of starting pitcher availability that’ll drive up the price further.

Castillo is no guarantee to get traded. If the Reds do find a suitor, it won’t be the Mets. They simply do not have the need to make a move for him at the expected cost of what Cincinnati will be asking.