Dodgers In Trade Talks For These Two Reds Mainstays

The Cincinnati Reds have made it known that they're willing to trade some assets, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have made it known that they're interested. They've already conducted trade talks with the Reds, inquiring about two pitchers in particular: Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray. 

MLB rumors: Dodgers talking Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray; Brewers acquire Mike Brosseau from Rayshttps://t.co/HJ8rvanUQo

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Castillo is regarded as one of the best young starters available on the trade market this winter, and posted a stellar 2.73 ERA from June 1st on. The Reds are willing to discuss the 28-year-old. 

Sonny Gray has been a solid major league starter as well. Gray has spent the last three years of his career in Cincinnati, posting a combined ERA in the mid-3s during that time; that's tough to do in the Reds' bandbox ballpark. 

Either one would be legitimate adds to the Dodger rotation, which could potentially (though highly unlikely) lose free agent Clayton Kershaw this offseason, as well as Max Scherzer. In addition, the status of Trevor Bauer for 2022 is still completely unknown. 

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Dodgers will "leave a spot open" for Kershaw if he wants to return, but in the meantime, they need to cover themselves for any eventuality. And of course, the old axiom still holds: You can never have enough pitching. 

The Dodgers have dropped a bit in the farm system rankings since their moves to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner at the trade deadline, but they still have some prospects that the Reds could be interested in. 

As Nightengale reports, Reds GM Nick Krall made it known that “as a small-market club, if we don’t build through scouting and player development, we’re not going to have success.’’

Sounds like two teams that could be a match. 

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