Jul 24, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Luis Castillo (58) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports Stephen Brashear
Ahead of next week's MLB Winter Meetings, ESPN's David Schoenfield floated an interesting potential trade idea that would send Alec Bohm to the Seattle Mariners for RHP Luis Castillo.
To be clear, this wasn't a report. Schoenfield is not saying he's heard the Phillies and Mariners are discussing a trade involving the two. It's important to get that context right when writing about a suggestion from another outlet.
Rather, Schoenfield was asked who the Phillies should trade Bohm to, and he replied by saying the Mariners, eventually bringing up the idea of Castillo heading back in the other direction in the deal.
"Seattle's third basemen — primarily Josh Rojas — hit .213 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs, and Rojas was then non-tendered, leaving a hole for the Mariners to fill. They reportedly have about $16 million in payroll room to fill third base, second base (they didn't pick up Jorge Polanco's option), maybe DH and perhaps a reliever or two. Bohm will make about $8 million in arbitration, and his contact ability would be a nice addition for a team that led the majors in strikeouts. Of course, outside of 2024 (which was propped up by a huge April) when he posted 3.0 bWAR, Bohm has otherwise never been above 1.0 bWAR, so the Mariners certainly shouldn't trade any of their young starters for him. But maybe dealing Luis Castillo -- making $24.15 million in each of the next three seasons -- works as a way to clear some payroll."
In an appearance on "Foul Territory" earlier this offseason, FanSided's Robert Murray talked about how good of a fit Bohm would be for the Mariners. He's right, as Seattle wasted arguably the best starting pitching staff in baseball last season, missing the playoffs altogether thanks to an offense that finished 21st in runs scored.
The Mariners have typically had a difficult time attracting hitters to playing in T-Mobile Park, which has graded out as the least hitter-friendly park in baseball over the last three seasons. So they are much more likely to upgrade their lineup via trade than free agency. And because Bohm is more reliant on hitting doubles than home runs, he might not actually see the type of dropoff from playing 81 games a year in Seattle that sluggers do.
Earlier this offseason, both Anthony SanFilippo and I agreed in an On Pattison mailbag piece that while the Mariners were a good fit for Bohm, they may not match up in terms of what the Phillies needed unless they were willing to move closer Andrés Muñoz, which seemed unlikely.
What Relievers Could Phillies Target via Trade Outside of Helsley and Williams?
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— On Pattison (@OnPattison) November 21, 2024
In theory, trading Castillo — a three-time All-Star who finished fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting as recently as 2023 — for Bohm would seem to be an overpay. But president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto likely will have to include hazard pay in any deal to attract a free-agent lineup upgrade. From that perspective, there's some logic in acquiring Bohm and offloading the $24.15 million owed to Castillo with the plan being to reallocate some or all of it to the lineup. After all, the Mariners would still have one of the best starting rotations in baseball with George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo.
What is worth noting here is that Castillo has a full no-trade clause for 2025. The Mariners would also have to pay him a $1 million trade assignment bonus.
The Phillies would also have to be willing to commit to all or most of the $72.45 million owed to Castillo for his age-32 through age-34 seasons. It's unclear — particularly with the resources tied up in Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez — if the Phillies would want to do that. It would also leave them with no spot in the starting rotation for No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter, who is expected to make his MLB Debut at some point in 2025.
Then again, maybe the Phillies could acquire Castillo and then flip Ranger Suárez for a reliever, third baseman or outfielder. It makes sense to consider all possibilities.
If your brain hasn't yet been completely rotted by the internet, it's not too late to turn back.
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