The Cubs are one of the teams who have spoken to the Mariners about s trade availability, according to . The depth of Chicagos interest isnt known, or if this interest still exists now that the Cubs have already swung a blockbuster deal from the Astros. Castillo also has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he could veto things entirely if he doesnt have interest in going to Chicago. Since the Cubs were for pitching, however, it would make sense that they would at least check in on what seems to be an increasingly available trade candidate. Rumors have been swirling about Castillos availability in recent days, as while Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has publicly downplayed the idea of trading from Seattles rotation depth, it is thought that Castillo might be the most available of the starting five. The 32-year-old Castillo is at least five years older than any of , , , or , and much more expensive Castillo is owed $68.25MM in guaranteed money from 2025-27, plus a $25MM vesting option for 2028 that becomes guaranteed based on health and an innings threshold. This salary might be the chief reason the Ms would be open to trading Castillo, as the club is Clyde Drexler Jersey known to be operating within pretty limited payroll parameters. Divish and Jude note that the Mariners are thought to have around $15MM in spending space, and for a team with several needs to addre s on offense, their options for signings or other trades widen greatly if Castillos contract was off the books. Freeing up some money might allow the Ms to make a more full-on pursuit of , who the Mariners have had atop their wish list since the start of the offseason, Divish and Jude write. A deal that saw Castillo go to Wrigleyville could also logically bring at least one bat back in Seattles direction. The Ms have already been linked to Cubs second baseman , so a swap involving the two of them (if not nece sarily a one-for-one) would addre s both teams needs. Hoerner is owed $23.5MM over the next seasons, so that represents some salary offset if Chicago absorbed all of Castillos contract. On the other hand, sending to Houston in the Tucker trade package has already cost the Cubs one starting infielder, so Chicago might now be le s willing to move Hoerner. Top prospect is viewed as the likeliest candidate to step in at third base in Paredes place, and while is another highly-touted youngster who might be ready for the big leagues at second base, entrusting two infield jobs to rookies is a risk for the Cubs. Getting Castillo for or would be a cleaner fit for Chicago in dealing from its outfield depth, but the Mariners already have , , and slated for starting jobs. The Ms have set for at least part-time duty at first base and penciled in at DH, as well. This all being said, the Mariners have such a broad need for hitting that it certainly isnt beyond Dipoto to target a big outfield bat and then get creative in either fitting that bat into the lineup, or perhaps trying to deal Raley or Haniger to land the infield help Seattle more clearly needs. Installing Castillo alongside , , , and the newly-signed would suddenly give the Cubs one of the more appealing rotations in baseball. Plenty more pitching would be on hand as well, since acquiring Castillo would turn fifth-starter candidates , , , or top prospect into depth arms. Speculatively speaking, one of these younger depth arms could also be sent to Seattle in a hypothetical Castillo trade, to give the Mariners a ready-made replacement for the new vacancy in their rotation. Dikembe Mutombo Jersey