The Baltimore Orioles have lost two key players this offseason, and they might explore a trade to acquire an All-Star to help fill the gap before Opening Day.
One significant loss is Corbin Burnes, who was one of the league’s top pitchers last season, and his departure weakens the Orioles’ rotation. Sports Illustrated’s Nick Ziegler proposed a trade for Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners to bolster Baltimore’s pitching staff.
Ziegler highlighted Castillo as a prime candidate, saying, “With free-agent options now limited, Luis Castillo from the Mariners stands out as a trade target. The three-time All-Star is exactly the kind of pitcher who could lead the rotation for the next few years.”
Castillo, a three-time All-Star, posted a 3.64 ERA last season and has a solid 3.34 ERA over the past three years in 88 starts. He could be a crucial addition to a rotation that lost its top performer.
At present, Baltimore’s rotation has depth but lacks a standout ace, with Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer, and Tomoyuki Sugano making up the staff. While the group mixes veterans and younger talent, Ziegler notes that adding a front-line starter would be key if the Orioles aim to contend in 2025.
Castillo could step in as the Orioles’ ace in an increasingly competitive division. He signed a five-year, $108 million deal in 2023, which keeps him under contract through 2027, with a potential option for 2028.
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