Ariana Grande’s song’s lyrics “i want it, i got it” sums up Steve Cohen perfectly. He wanted Juan Soto, he got it, and now he’s eyeing more players. The team is building their starting rotation and for that, they need top players. Rumors were that the crew was looking at Nathan Eovaldi but alas he signed with the Rangers. 

No worries though, it is Steve Cohen’s team we are talking about. The Eovaldi deal was certainly far from getting on paper and Texas was adamant on a reunion with its player. Nevertheless, the Mets have a lot of options. Players like Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Nick Pivetta are some. In the trade market, a Luis Castillo trade is likely to happen. Teams have reportedly spoken to the Mariners about it.

Steve Cohen has eyes on Luis Castillo

One of the teams interested is of course the Mets. SNY reported that according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, several high-profile teams reportedly are making their move on the right-hander. The New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs have all reached out to Seattle. While Castillo’s 2024 season didn’t quite match the All-Star level he reached in 2023, his consistent dominance still makes him a coveted asset.

In contrast, his performance in 2023 was nothing short of spectacular, as he went 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP. That campaign earned him his third All-Star selection and a fifth-place finish in Cy Young voting, putting him squarely in the conversation as one of the league’s premier pitchers. For teams, Castillo is undoubtedly an interesting target. The question now is: who will win the bidding war to land one of baseball’s most coveted arms?

Other teams that are interested in the Dominican pitcher  

Luis Castillo comes with several attractive qualities that could make him one of the most sought-after pitchers on the trade market this offseason. He has control and he is healthy. These factors make him an appealing target for teams. And while Castillo holds a no-trade clause, that could actually give him some say in his future while still allowing the Mariners to move him.

Several teams have already shown interest in Castillo, and each could greatly benefit from his experience and durability. The Chicago Cubs recently acquired Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. The squad is still looking for a starting pitcher to round out their rotation. Chicago has a strong farm system, which could make them a major player in any trade talks. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox made headlines by acquiring Garrett Crochet from the White Sox.  Another solid arm could really help them take the next step in the AL East.  

In Baltimore, the Orioles are riding high after making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and boasting one of the most exciting young cores in all of MLB. Yet, they might find themselves needing another experienced arm to complement their rotation, especially if they lose ace Corbin Burnes, Adding Castillo would give Baltimore the added veteran presence they need to maintain their competitive edge in the stacked AL East.