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HOUSTON — The Seattle Mariners acquired the top starting pitcher on the trade market Friday night, getting All-Star Luis Castillo from the payroll-paring Cincinnati Reds for four minor league prospects.
Cincinnati obtained infielders Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo, and right-handers Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore. Marte was the Mariners’ top-rated prospect, Arroyo was third and Stoudt fifth.
Seattle has not been to the playoffs since 2001, the longest postseason drought in the four major North American professional sports.
A 29-year-old right-hander, Castillo was 4-4 with a 2.86 ERA for the last-place Reds, striking out 90 and walking 28 in 85 innings. His fastball averages 97 mph.
“We see Luis Castillo as an impact, top of the rotation starter who’s currently on top of his game,” Dipoto said in a statement. “Our goal remains to play in the postseason, now and in the years to come. We believe adding Luis is a big step in that direction.”
Castillo is a two-time All-Star with a 44-53 career record and 3.62 ERA in six seasons. He has a $7.35 million salary this season, is eligible for arbitration next winter and can become a free agent after the 2023 season.
He joins a rotation that includes Logan Gilbert, Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen. Touted rookie George Kirby appears likely to be displaced.
Marte, 20, was the top prospect in the Mariners system according to MLB.com and No. 3 overall in all of baseball. He hit .275 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI in 85 games for the High-A Everett AquaSox this season.
Arroyo, 18, hit .316 with 13 homers and 67 RBI in 87 games for Low-A Modesto. He was Seattle’s No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com.
Stout, 24, is 13-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 33 starts over two minor league seasons.
The 22-year-old Moore is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA this year for Class A Modesto.
A night earlier, the rebuilding Reds dealt outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl to the New York Mets for two teenage minor leaguers.
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is Tuesday.
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