White Sox Acquire Castillo From Mariners
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- White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo from the Mariners in exchange for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones, and catching prospect Boston Smith.
- Castillo, 33, is 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 20 appearances this season — the worst year of his career — though he posted a 3.54 ERA over 180 innings just a year ago and owns a 3.65 career ERA over 10 seasons.
- Castillo is in year four of a five-year, $108 million contract with a vesting option for 2028, and the White Sox are taking on significant salary while sending out Dominguez (signed through 2027 on a $20 million deal) to help offset it.
- GM Chris Getz said Castillo can "help lead this young pitching staff" and brings playoff experience, which none of Chicago's other current starters possess.
- Boston Smith, 23, was Chicago's 15th-ranked prospect and was hitting .306 at Double-A in 22 games, while Nolan Jones has spent the entire season at Triple-A.
- Getz said the White Sox are still working to add talent before Monday's trade deadline, with another starter, a reliever, or catching depth all in play since starter Kyle Teel is out for most of the remaining regular season.
Why it matters: The White Sox are absorbing a large multi-year salary commitment for a 33-year-old in his worst career season, gambling that his prior track record and playoff experience — which no other current Chicago starter has — can stabilize a young rotation that has already needed an opener for rookie Noah Schultz and ranks last in innings covered.
