Potential Yankees trade deadline target passes audition with flying colors

The Yankees could use a rotation upgrade at the trade deadline. Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo’s outing on Thursday can only be described as a tryout.

The Reds have a high asking price for Castillo, particularly from New York. Yet, he is one of the top two starting pitchers available on the trade market as we near the deadline (the other being Oakland Athletics starter Frankie Montas, who is coming off injury).

Cincinnati is right to demand a prospect-laden trade package. The question is whether or not the Yankees, or another contender for that matter, will meet those demands. Per The New York Post, the Reds would like one of Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza for Castillo. That’s unlikely to happen despite both players being shortstops, as they’re the Yankees two top-rated prospects.

Nonetheless, Brian Cashman got an up close and personal look at Castillo on Thursday night.

Yankees: Luis Castillo shines in the Bronx

Aaron Boone and Co. received tough injury news before Thursday’s game, as Luis Severino was placed on the injured list. Sevy has been an inspiring reclamation project this season, but serves as another reminder that much of this New York rotation is injury-prone.

But with Severino out of the picture for the time being, should the Yanks ramp up trade talks for a starter the caliber of Castillo?

In the Bronx, Castillo threw just over seven innings of one-run ball, paired with eight strikeouts and just two hits allowed. Control was an issue, as he walked four, but with the stuff he has, Castillo was able to find a way to escape trouble.

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Castillo’s stuff was nasty, and Yankee fans understandably don’t want Cashman to let Castillo leave the stadium.

But at what price?