Padres rumors: SP Luis Castillo trade may be on the radar for San Diego

The San Diego Padres have plenty of great pitchers on their roster this season. According to the New York Post, they’re potentially looking at adding another one.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo is a popular target and is reportedly also being looked at by the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets (credit to the New York Post).

Castillo would be a good addition to the team considering he’s pitching extremely well this season with an earned-run average of 2.92, batting average against of .208 and WHIP of 1.10. However, he wouldn’t be the most necessary trade.

The Padres are one of the best teams in MLB for pitching. Among all teams, they rank eighth-best in ERA (3.74), fourth-best opponent batting average (.228), sixth-best WHIP (1.19) and sixth-most strikeouts (799). They don’t need much help on the mound this season.

Castillo may not be a necessity, but he’d still be useful. He’d be a step forward in helping the Padres become better than their biggest rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Luis Castillo could help the Padres beat their rival

Castillo wouldn’t be the magic solution to overtaking the Dodgers. However, he’d be a big step in the right direction. The Dodgers, just like the Padres, have a great roster of pitchers. The Dodgers are tied with the New York Yankees for best WHIP (1.09). They also have the third-best OBA (.219) and the second-best ERA (3.04). Overall, they’re better than the Padres.

Castillo is comparable to Joe Musgrove, currently the best pitcher in San Diego. This season, Musgrove is pitching an ERA of 242, WHIP of 0.97 and BAA of .205. The second-best pitcher on the roster, Yu Darvish, is producing an ERA of 3.38, WHIP of 0.99 and BAA of .215.