10 minutes ago, OmarComing25 said:

Trying to find the exact numbers but did we end up sending Seattle any cash in the deal? For 2027 Castillo is making $22.75 million and Dominguez $10 million with a $2 million buyout, so $10.75 million net for Castillo for next season? Or is it more with the cash considerations?

I think sent a small amount to them related to Dominguez’s buyout

2 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I think sent a small amount to them related to Dominguez’s buyout

It did say "conditional cash considerations", so guessing Sox are covering all or a portion of the buyout, when it likely occurs.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49464501/mlb-trade-deadline-2026-ranking-prospects-changed-teams

FWIW Boston Smith was ranked by Kiley McDaniel as the 10th best prospect moved so far at the deadline in the +35 FV tier. Write-up below:

Smith has already been traded twice in about a year since signing for $50,000 with the Nationals as a 2025 sixth-rounder out of Wright State. He's a fringy defender with an average arm, so there's a shot he sticks behind the plate. Smith has real power that he's tapping into this year with plenty of walks but also some heavy in-zone miss that limits his contact upside. This is an intriguing lottery ticket from an unusual background.

5 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

President and Founder of the Luis Castillo Club !

I like your stance and belief he can be better with some tweaks.

I’m just really hoping he works out and there’s some reason to believe it. Have to believe we wouldn’t have done this unless they believe it.

On 8/1/2026 at 9:12 PM, Chicago White Sox said:

If you took out Boston Smith, maybe the trade would make some sense. I can’t fathom how taking on a worse contract than the one we gave up required us to give up a legitimate prospect. I don’t even have words honestly.

I agree the trade feels like we should have gotten the prospect, not the other way around. M's clearly wanted to dump Castillo. According to Boden, they've been trying to for sometime.

I didn't like it much at first, but it has grown on me a tad. I wasn't fully aware that Boston Smith isn't really a true catcher, so that definitely decreases his value. I know he was smoking the ball in the minors all year, and was a cool story, but with Teel/Quero, and him not really being an option in 2026 to catch a major league staff, he's definitely better used as a trade chip. I think losing Dominguez was quickly addressed by getting Brozobon, so that eliminated that initial concern for me as I was not a big Dominguez guy, but he was at least useful to have around.

Also, one other minor financial thing to consider is Nolan Jones was on a $2M contract as well, so Sox save ~$750k there too -- which was probably why he was included because he's otherwise a very strange inclusion.

So the net cost for the Sox for 1.5 seasons of Castillo is really like $13.5M. He's been a great starter for a long time, and while he's been not great this year, he's been better when treated as a full starter, ditched the change that used to be electric (and perhaps they plan to bring back - Bannister liked a tweet insinuating that was the plan), and the FB hasn't lost a ton of life. I think its a worthwhile cheap gamble that really only cost $, which is also a super welcome change.

Edited yesterday at 04:32 PM1 day by ChiSox59

4 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

I agree the trade feels like we should have gotten the prospect, not the other way around. M's clearly wanted to dump Castillo. According to Boden, they've been trying to for sometime.

I didn't like it much at first, but it has grown on me a tad. I wasn't fully aware that Boston Smith isn't really a true catcher, so that definitely decreases his value. I know he was smoking the ball in the minors all year, and was a cool story, but with Teel/Quero, and him not really being an option in 2026 to catch a major league staff, he's definitely better used as a trade chip. I think losing Dominguez was quickly addressed by getting Brozobon, so that eliminated that initial concern for me as I was not a big Dominguez guy, but he was at least useful to have around.

Also, one other minor financial thing to consider is Nolan Jones was on a $2M contract as well, so Sox save ~$750k there too -- which was probably why he was included because he's otherwise a very strange inclusion.

So the net cost for the Sox for 1.5 seasons of Castillo is really like $13.5M. He's been a great starter for a long time, and while he's been not great this year, he's been better when treated as a full starter, ditch the change that used to be electric (and perhaps they plan to bring back), and the FB hasn't lost a ton of life. I think its a worthwhile cheap gamble that really only cost $.

Agreed with all of this. I would have liked to see what the deal could have potentially looked like if we were not sending Domínguez and his salary, offsetting some of Castillo’s.

42 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

I agree the trade feels like we should have gotten the prospect, not the other way around. M's clearly wanted to dump Castillo. According to Boden, they've been trying to for sometime.

I didn't like it much at first, but it has grown on me a tad. I wasn't fully aware that Boston Smith isn't really a true catcher, so that definitely decreases his value. I know he was smoking the ball in the minors all year, and was a cool story, but with Teel/Quero, and him not really being an option in 2026 to catch a major league staff, he's definitely better used as a trade chip. I think losing Dominguez was quickly addressed by getting Brozobon, so that eliminated that initial concern for me as I was not a big Dominguez guy, but he was at least useful to have around.

Also, one other minor financial thing to consider is Nolan Jones was on a $2M contract as well, so Sox save ~$750k there too -- which was probably why he was included because he's otherwise a very strange inclusion.

So the net cost for the Sox for 1.5 seasons of Castillo is really like $13.5M. He's been a great starter for a long time, and while he's been not great this year, he's been better when treated as a full starter, ditch the change that used to be electric (and perhaps they plan to bring back), and the FB hasn't lost a ton of life. I think its a worthwhile cheap gamble that really only cost $.

These are all good points. I’d nit pick a few things. I don’t think Dominguez is completely valueless, so I’m not sure that you can view this as getting Castillo for just $13.5M next year. I’d say Dominguez is worth at least $5M as a middle reliever, so let’s call it $18.5M. For one year that’s not terrible I guess, but it still requires a rebound and I still struggle why we gave up a prospect to take on that risk at that cost.

I wonder what percentage of people in this thread think we're actually paying his full contract for this season. If you have 10 thousand posts and don't understand pro-rated contracts or vesting options then maybe less posts more reading.

15 minutes ago, bobbydanks said:

I wonder what percentage of people in this thread think we're actually paying his full contract for this season. If you have 10 thousand posts and don't understand pro-rated contracts or vesting options then maybe less posts more reading.

I don’t think anyone thinks that. They are on the hook for the prorated amount for this year and the entirety of his contract for next year. I read that it is $30 million. Including Seranthony and his money will obviously offset some of that remaining $30 million owed this year and next.

2 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

These are all good points. I’d nit pick a few things. I don’t think Dominguez is completely valueless, so I’m not sure that you can view this as getting Castillo for just $13.5M next year. I’d say Dominguez is worth at least $5M as a middle reliever, so let’s call it $18.5M. For one year that’s not terrible I guess, but it still requires a rebound and I still struggle why we gave up a prospect to take on that risk at that cost.

That's fair. Just talking net dollars added to payroll. But yes, I too feel Dominguez is at least a solid middle reliever. Its obvious the Sox didn't think much of him after rostering him the last several months.

7 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

That's fair. Just talking net dollars added to payroll. But yes, I too feel Dominguez is at least a solid middle reliever. Its obvious the Sox didn't think much of him after rostering him the last several months.

Honestly this entire deal was kind of a we don't think too much of these guys, maybe someone else will kind of deal. I think the Sox placed a premium on the IP aspect of Castillo, which with a staff held together with Duct Tape and TJS isn't a bad thing, but it really hinges on of Castillo is fixable, or in inevitable decine.

Is this guy our Gerrit Cole? Gets the ball in the first game of every playoff/WS? You can see I've become an optimistic fan probably because of the fact I can't log in often unless I'm at library.

12 minutes ago, greg775 said:

Is this guy our Gerrit Cole? Gets the ball in the first game of every playoff/WS? You can see I've become an optimistic fan probably because of the fact I can't log in often unless I'm at library.

No, he’s not even Temu Gerrit Cole.

1 hour ago, greg775 said:

Is this guy our Gerrit Cole? Gets the ball in the first game of every playoff/WS? You can see I've become an optimistic fan probably because of the fact I can't log in often unless I'm at library.

He's maybe our Gary Cole.

1 minute ago, southsider2k5 said:

He's maybe our Gary Cole.

Look, Seranthony had to go, and there was no easy way to off-load him and the money that remained on his Contract.

I would have been fine with DFAing him. He's toast, and the M's will soon realize that.

13 minutes ago, tray said:

Look, Seranthony had to go, and there was no easy way to off-load him and the money that remained on his Contract.

I would have been fine with DFAing him. He's toast, and the M's will soon realize that.

I expect him to be pretty helpful for the M's pen actually. Think this trade will do both arms some good mentally in getting away from situations where they were getting pushed out of the roles they were "supposed to" have coming into the season.

Ser can go over there and be a fine 7th inning guy instead of a shaky closer, Castillo can come here and start normally instead of being put in uncomfortable piggyback spots.

1 minute ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

I expect him to be pretty helpful for the M's pen actually. Think this trade will do both arms some good mentally in getting away from situations where they were getting pushed out of the roles they were "supposed to" have coming into the season.

Ser can go over there and be a fine 7th inning guy instead of a shaky closer, Castillo can come here and start normally instead of being put in uncomfortable piggyback spots.

Agreed. Home games at that park will help him as well with his flyball tendencies. He actually pitched pretty well over the past month. I won’t miss the walks however.

While I hate this trade from a value perspective, I'm excited to watch Luis as I've always enjoyed him and he's always come off as a real competitor. I hope he can tap into some magic and find a little juice. Also will say the idea that he's stopped throwing the change isn't true. He's just thrown it half as much, and he started throwing a 4 seamer much more. The 4 seamer was a better pitch as the change had been regressing even in cincy, so the adjustment made sense. Change ups seem to have a sustainability problem more than most pitches now. I'm not sure if it's video and pitching machines, but elite ones shelf life appear to be shorter than sliders and fastballs.

I will add that all this talk of the Sox acquiring a player to change them mid-season and unlock success is crazy imo. Guys don't drastically overhaul who they are mid-season.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by Look at Ray Ray Run

21 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

While I hate this trade from a value perspective, I'm excited to watch Luis as I've always enjoyed him and he's always come off as a real competitor. I hope he can tap into some magic and find a little juice. Also will say the moniker that he's stopped throwing the change isn't true. He's just thrown it half as much, and he started throwing a 4 seamer much more. The 4 seamer was a better pitch as the change had been regressing even in cincy, so the adjustment made sense. Change ups seem to have a sustainability problem more than most pitches now. I'm not sure if it's video and pitching machines, but elite ones shelf life appear to be shorter than sliders and fastballs.

I will add that all this talk of the Sox acquiring a player to change them mid-season and unlock success is crazy imo. Guys don't drastically overhaul who they are mid-season.

I think this is well said - I think if you get them, maybe you think in offseason you can do something to improve but in season outside of minor tweaks or pitch sequence changes hard to do much. With Castillo I presume maybe they see some small things that can be done in season but won’t be drastic plus fact that they tout he has been far better since he went back to his normal routine in mid May. I think I heard sub 4 era since like May 15th…which he may have been a bit lucky but he’s also a competitor and he gives innings which they needed big time.

1 minute ago, Chisoxfn said:

I think this is well said - I think if you get them, maybe you think in offseason you can do something to improve but in season outside of minor tweaks or pitch sequence changes hard to do much. With Castillo I presume maybe they see some small things that can be done in season but won’t be drastic plus fact that they tout he has been far better since he went back to his normal routine in mid May. I think I heard sub 4 era since like May 15th…which he may have been a bit lucky but he’s also a competitor and he gives innings which they needed big time.

In his starts (excluding the piggybacks) since May 15 he's at a 3.65 ERA. Exclude his start getting lit up vs. the Dodgers last week and it's 2.97.

Probably some park factors and luck involved, but I do think he'll pitch better than his season numbers when back in a comfortable role (and perhaps a better clubhouse environment).

I do wish I had access to stuff like reports that would indicate which pitching targets may be most successful vs. the division, with 19 or so games left and big games vs. CLE coming up. That may be where there is definitely a "we can't throw fedde out a 4th time vs. these guys". Now, would castillo have something there - i have zero idea. Would he even show up favorably in some report? No idea. But Schultz has had his arrow up recently, we have more protection for short outings.

I just hope Castillo rises up to the challenge here. We need him. I want the playoffs bad.

8 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Guys don't drastically overhaul who they are mid-season.

Jordan Hicks?

30 minutes ago, JoeC said:

Jordan Hicks?

Jordan Hicks has been this version of himself before, and he didn't make any changes while actively playing.

He's thrown from this slot before, had this stuff before, and generally been this guy. Guys make minor adjustments all the time, and I'd consider the adjustment Hicks made to be minor and achieved while not playing.

Always been a fan of Castillo's little leg kick/swing at the end of his motion. Dude used to be electric to watch. Hoping for the best.