White Sox at risk of wasting $20M if trade deadline pickup can't turn things around
· Yahoo Sports
White Sox at risk of wasting $20M if trade deadline pickup can't turn things around originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago White Sox went out and acquired some pitching help at the MLB trade deadline this summer, acquiring some reliever help, but most notably, adding Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners.
Visit grenadier.co.za for more information.
They spent a lot to get him, not only in the capital they sent to the Mariners, but also in what they owe Castillo. They agreed to take on his full remaining contract, which could make his $20M contract a major mistake.
As USA Today's Bob Nightengale highlighted, they might've wasted that $20 million on Castillo if he cannot figure things out next season. A lot of money is on the line with Castillo, and there's reason to worry in Seattle.
Mariners might waste $20M with Luis Castillo trade
"The Chicago White Sox, who grabbed Luis Castillo at the trade deadline, need to find a way to fix him 2027 or else they just wasted $20 million," Nightengale writes.
Adding Castillo wasn't a terrible idea for the White Sox, as there was hope he'd be able to turn back the clock and perform well after a change of scenery.
While the change of scenery did lead to a change in production from the mound, it was in the complete opposite direction of where the White Sox needed it.
In 20 outings with the Mariners, Castillo posted a 5.06 ERA. It was a first-half season stint with a -0.6 bWAR for Castillo, extremely underwhelming for someone who's been an All-Star pitcher with a 3.54 and 3.64 ERA in 2025 and 2024 respectively.
MORE: White Sox reportedly have 'no urgency' to sign Munetaka Murakami to an extension
But things got a lot worse with the White Sox. In nine outings, Castillo managed to accrue -0.9 bWAR thanks to a horrible 8.42 ERA across 31 innings pitched.
Unfortunately, Castillo has been a net negative for the White Sox. To make matters worse, the White Sox are locked into Castillo for the 2027 MLB season for the final year of his five-year, $108 million contract.
This is a poor situation for the White Sox, as their big trade deadline pickup might become a huge waste for Chicago. If he can't figure things out for the 2027 season, Castillo will be a major blemish on an otherwise exciting White Sox team.
More MLB news:
- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski makes all kinds of MLB history with 1,000 pitches of 100 mph
- Kyle Schwarber and Colson Montgomery are in a race for MLB history no one wants to make
- How Phillies' Brandon Marsh has been worst player in MLB since All-Star break
- How Mets, Dodgers and Guardians all made same brutal trade mistake amid MVP races
- Nolan Arenado refusing to land on IL for Diamondbacks was a good thing