White Sox acquire Luis Castillo from Mariners
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- The Chicago White Sox are acquiring right-hander Luis Castillo, 33, from the Seattle Mariners for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones, and catching prospect Boston Smith, the team announced Saturday.
- Castillo is 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 17 starts this season — his worst year — but carries a career 3.65 ERA over 10 seasons and is in year four of a five-year, $108 million deal with a vesting option for 2028.
- Dominguez, 31, was 4-3 with a 4.10 ERA and 12 saves across 42 appearances for Chicago; his two-year, $20 million contract through 2027 offsets the salary the White Sox are absorbing in the deal.
- Boston Smith, the White Sox's 15th-ranked prospect, was hitting .306 at Double-A in 22 games before being traded; Nolan Jones, 28, has been at Triple-A all season.
- Castillo brings postseason experience that none of Chicago's other current starters possess, per the source, with the team also still seeking another starter, reliever, or catching depth before Monday's trade deadline while Kyle Teel is out for most of the regular season.
Why it matters: The White Sox gave up their 15th-ranked prospect and a salaried closer-type reliever to take on a pitcher having his worst statistical season, betting that his career 3.65 ERA and postseason résumé can stabilize a rotation that currently features rookie Noah Schultz in a bullpen-game role. Dominguez's $20 million contract helps offset the financial hit, but Chicago is still hunting more arms and catching depth before Monday's deadline, signaling this is the opening move of a larger sell-or-buy reset.
