MLB Trade Rumors: Mariners & Cubs Discuss Luis Castillo Trade

The Chicago Cubs are obviously going all-in for 2025, after their blockbuster trade for young superstar hitter Kyle Tucker. 

The former Astros outfielder could turn out to be a one-year rental as he's set for free agency after the coming season, and is expected to command a long-term deal up to the $400M range. 

So if the Cubs are rolling the dice on 2025, they should continue their offseason talks with the Seattle Mariners, which, according to Ryan Divish and Adam Jude in the Seattle Times, has revolved around one of the M's elite starting pitchers, Luis Castillo.

The Mariners and Cubs have had discussions this offseason about alignment on various deals, and the Cubs have expressed interest in Castillo, a source said.

One of the Chicago players that the Mariners have interest in is Nico Hoerner. The second baseman is owed $11.5 million for 2025 and $12 million for 2026. He's been an average hitter over the past three years (OPS+ averaging 102) but he does bring plenty of speed, with 94 stolen bases over that time, as well as Gold Glove defense at 2B. 

The deal would obviously have to include more than that, however, as Castillo has been one of the top starters in baseball over his career. He's a three-time All-Star. 

Castillo, 32, is signed through 2028 at an average of $24 million a season. And according to insider Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic, that relatively good price has meant that interest in Castillo increased significantly after the New York Yankees signed free-agent lefty Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract.

Losing him would hurt, but the Mariners have an elite starting staff, which also includes George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo. If they're looking to boost their offense, they just might have to part with one of those arms.

The Cubs rotation, in particular, needs a big-time arm, as it currently only stands three-deep, with Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon. 

Talks are said to be at an “exploratory” stage to this point, but there's no doubt that the Mariners have at least been willing to listen on Castillo, write Divish and Jude. 

 Photo: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images