MLB Trade Rumors: Reds' Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray Have Been Discussed

Having already dealt Raisel Iglesias to the Los Angeles Angels, the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly exploring the trade market for two other pitchers on their roster. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray are being "discussed" in talks, but the asking price is believed to be high.

Like many teams across Major League Baseball, the Reds appear to be in cost-cutting mode this offseason.

Iglesias was a valuable member of the bullpen in 2020 with a 2.74 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings. He's only due to earn $9.125 million next season in the final year of his current contract, but the Reds dealt him for Noe Ramirez and Leo Rivas.

Gray and Castillo, along with Trevor Bauer, formed one of the best starting trios in MLB last season. Gray averaged a career-high 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings with a 3.70 ERA in 11 starts. Castillo finished second on the team with a 3.21 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 12 starts. 

In addition to shopping Gray and Castillo, Bauer is a free agent for the Reds. Dealing one or both players would dramatically impact what was the biggest strength for the Reds last season. 

Cincinnati's pitching staff led the National League with 615 strikeouts, ranked second with a .215 opponent batting average against and tied for third with a 1.22 WHIP.

Gray has two more years of team control on his current contract with a $12 million team option for 2023. Castillo is going to earn $4.4 million in 2021 and has two more years of team control before being eligible for free agency after the 2023 campaign.