SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino is answering questions from readers about the latest buzz regarding the Yankees.
Here's the latest...
How possible is it that Yanks get Castillo? -- @NESTOR4CY
Let’s talk about Luis Castillo and the Yankees, because that’s the big New York trade deadline conversation. I made calls on this today to make sure my info was up to date in answering this question.
Brian Cashman is taking a new public approach to the deadline this year, declining to identify his needs and desires. This is in part because the team is playing well, and Cashman doesn’t want to upset the clubhouse by identifying areas of weakness.
Fortunately, we’re still able to talk to league sources, including rival executives of clubs interested in Castillo. We can tell you that the Yankees will be talking to the Reds about Castillo, but haven’t done so in any detail yet, because no club has.
According to multiple league sources, Cincinnati has not yet made Castillo available. Therefore, the Yankees have not been able to exchange names. Reds GM Nick Krall declined comment to SNY.
Once talks begin, the Yankees won’t necessarily be able to put together the strongest package for Castillo, especially considering that they won’t move top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe. The educated guess from here is that they’ll be willing to discuss their other shortstop prospect, Oswald Peraza, in a potential Castillo deal.
Because other clubs will have more to offer, the Yankees’ chances of landing Castillo will depend on how motivated those clubs decide to be. And because talks haven’t begun, it’s impossible to handicap that just yet.
League sources expect this to accelerate after this weekend’s amateur draft.