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Mariners trade for Reds pitcher Luis Castillo ahead of deadline

The Seattle Mariners are making a move for another starting pitcher to close out the season.

The Mariners are finalizing a deal to trade for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo, the teams announced Friday night.

The Reds are getting four prospects in exchange for Castillo, including pitchers Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore, and shortstops Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo. According to MLB.com, that group makes up three of the top five prospects within the Mariners' organization.

“We see Luis Castillo as an impact, top of the rotation starter who’s currently on top of his game,” Mariners president Jerry 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.”

Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds
The Mariners traded for Reds pitcher Luis Castillo on Friday night. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Castillo holds a 4-4 record this season with a career-best 2.86 ERA in 14 starts. The 29-year-old was named to his second All-Star game earlier this season, and is fresh off leading Cincinnati to a win over the Marlins on Wednesday, when he struck out eight in seven innings.

Castillo is on a one-year, $7.3 million deal with the Reds, where he has played his entire career since making his MLB debut in 2017.

The move for Castillo comes four days before the trade deadline, and should significantly help the Mariners in the second half of the season. Seattle entered Friday night with the fourth-best record in the American League, and had won 19 of its past 24 games. With Castillo joining a rotation with Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Marco Gonzales, the Mariners seem in a great position to make their first postseason since the 2001 season.