MLB Rumors: Blue Jays "Most Aggressive Team" In Pursuit Of This Top Starter

The situation is getting a bit dire for the Toronto Blue Jays. Having lost 9 of their last 10 games, and falling to just a 2.5 game lead on three other teams for the final Wild Card spot. 

With Hyun-Jin Ryu out for the season, and Yusei Kikuchi proving incapable of holding down a starting job, the Jays have a more urgent need for pitching than just about any contender in baseball. 

They have their sights set firmly on the Cincinnati Reds' Luis Castillo, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. 

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be the most agressive team pursuing starting pitching help, and... have their eyes on Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo, who is the best of the bunch on the trade market.

The 29-year-old Castillo is having his best season in years.

Luis Castillo has been selected as the Reds' All-Star representative.

Castillo spent the first month of the season on the IL, but has been as good as ever since coming back. He's 3-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 12 starts.

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) July 10, 2022

Freshly-minted as an All-Star, Castillo has a 2.92 ERA in 12 starts, with a 1.10 WHIP and 9.4 K per 9 innings. He has been on the trade block for as long as anyone can remember, and with his performance for the last-place Reds this season, that talk is reaching new heights. 

Especially due to the fact that two other top available starters are having injury troubles at the most inopportune time. Both Castillo's teammate Tyler Mahle and Oakland A's ace Frankie Montas have both landed on the IL in the past few days. 

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports