The Los Angeles Angels have spent the last few months looking to improve their pitching situation. They spent every draft pick they had in the 2021 draft on pitchers and added two pitchers in free agency, nabbing starter Noah Syndergaard and reliever Aaron Loup.
The Angels now have their sights set on Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the two teams have discussed the trade but that they still remain far away from agreeing to something.
Sources: #Angels and #Reds have had preliminary trade talks on a Luis Castillo deal, but the price remains very high and the sides are far apart as of today. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2021
Castillo, a 28-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, recorded 9.21 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.98 ERA in 187.2 total innings last season. He was named an All-Star in 2019. Although Castillo has problems with allowing walks — his 3.6 walks per nine innings from last season were third in Major League Baseball— he records a lot of strikeouts and would be a decent starter for Los Angeles.
The Angels are busting their hump to surround unanimous American League MVP Shohei Ohtani with help on the mound. They added two new players already and are looking to retain Raisel Iglesias, their closing pitcher. Starters Alex Cobb and Dylan Bundy are also free agents.
Los Angles still needs better hitters to be a good team but looking to bolster their pitching should help, too. They should look to bring back Cobb and find reliable hitters at infield positions, save for first base as they already have All-Star Jared Walsh. Mike Trout coming back from injury will bolster their outfield, though they could use some additional help there, too.
Castillo is not the only pitcher the Angels are pursuing. They are among a group of teams in the running to sign three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.
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