Mets trade idea would swap $108 million 3-time All-Star for Luisangel Acuña package | Net News
Mets trade idea would swap $108 million 3-time All-Star for Luisangel Acuña package image
It’s still early, but the New York Mets have been hit hardest of any Major League Baseball team with injury news since the start of spring training.
Last week, the Mets learned they would be without free-agent signee Frankie Montas, who projected as a mid-rotation starter this year, for the foreseeable future. Montas is being shut down for six to eight weeks while dealing with a lat strain.
If the Mets weren’t already questioning their rotation before Montas’ injury, they have to be now. Their ace, Kodai Senga, made only one regular-season start last year, and after Sean Manaea and David Peterson, there’s no one else who started even 20 games.
Perhaps it’s time for New York to make a splash in the trade market.
On Sunday, ClutchPoints’ Brayden Haena named Seattle Mariners righty Luis Castillo as a trade candidate the Mets “must” acquire to shore up their roster, while singling out infield prospect Luisangel Acuña as part of a possible package to acquire Castillo.
“Castillo would bring durability, strikeout ability, and postseason experience, giving the Mets a rotation strong enough to compete deep into October,” Haena wrote.
“One possible trade package could include Luisangel Acuña, who made his MLB debut last season and is projected to be an everyday player. While the Mets value Acuña’s versatility, the addition of Castillo might be worth the cost, especially with Brett Baty and Jett Williams in the pipeline.”
Castillo, 32, had a 3.64 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 175 1/3 innings last season. He has three years remaining on his contract at $72 million, then a $24 million vesting option for 2028 if he throws 180-plus innings the previous year.
While that’s an expensive contract, this could be an opportunity for the Mets to flex their financial might. In fact, they might even be able to keep Acuña in the deal if they eat that money and give the Mariners back some spending power.
