Astros named best trade fit for Mariners' 3X All-Star starting pitcher

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Astros named best trade fit for Mariners' 3X All-Star starting pitcher originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The ERAs in the starting rotation of the Houston Astros are ugly.

Of Astros starters who have made at least 10 starts, Peter Lambert's 3.26 ERA is the lowest. Tatsuya Imai's 6.14 ERA is the highest.

Imai's first season since coming over from Japan has been filled with more struggles than anything else.

The trade for Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates hasn't turned out great for the Astros either.

But there's still time for the Astros to make external additions. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports wrote Monday that a three-time All-Star from the Seattle Mariners would be a suitable fit in Houston.

"If the Mariners trade a starter, [Luis] Castillo is the obvious candidate to go because he's the oldest and most expensive," Axisa wrote. "They'll likely have to eat money to facilitate a trade (he's owed $22.75 million in 2027 with a $25 million vesting option for 2028), but it could be worth it."

Axisa named the Astros as the best fit for Castillo if he's moved.

In 17 appearances this season, including 14 starts, the right-hander has a 4.79 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 82.2 innings.

Castillo does not appear to enjoy the piggybacking system the Mariners put in place earlier this year. Perhaps a fresh start is what he needs.

MORE: Astros showing ‘strong interest’ in Rockies’ Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy

At 33, Castillo has lost life off his fastball, making him less of a strikeout pitcher than earlier in his career.

But he could still help the Astros make a push towards the postseason as a full-time starter.

More MLB news:​

• Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez is planned NL All-Star starter
• 3 reasons why Braves are perfect fit for Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline
• Padres have ‘no choice’ but to be trade deadline sellers if things don’t turn around
• Astros plan to be involved in Tarik Skubal trade sweepstakes
• Angels GM says ’NO!’ in response to Phillies trade rumor for Mike Trout

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