Luis Castillo In 3-Team Deal For Kevin Millwood?

An article by Joe D    5 Comments

Update 12:20 PM

MetsBlog is reporting that the deal is dead acording to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Too bad, it would have been a nice prelude to the rest of the hot stove season for the Mets.

Original Post 11:40 PM

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Cubs are continuing to explore ways to move outfielder Milton Bradley, and says that they are still working on a three team deal to get Luis Castillo from the Mets.

The Cubs continue trying to find ways to move Milton Bradley in packages that would bring them second baseman Luis Castillo from the Mets. The latest, according to sources, is a three-team deal with the Rangers that would send send the Rangers’ No. 1 starter, Kevin Millwood, to New York.

A source with the Cubs believes this proposition has legs, saying, “there’s a deal to be made there.” But the Rangers haven’t committed to the return of Bradley, who played in Texas before signing with the Cubs, and would need the Cubs and maybe the Mets to kick in money to pay most of the $21 million remaining on Bradley’s contract before doing any deal.

Texas believes it has enough pitching depth to move Millwood, who is due to earn $12 million in the last year of his contract. The Mets are searching for pitching.

This wouldn’t be a bad deal if there is any truth to it.

Although I have a lot of newfound respect for Luis Castillo after a solid season in 2009, I still feel the Mets need to improve defensively especially up the middle. If this helps to open up a spot for an Orlando Hudson, Placido Polanco or Chone Figgins, you can’t fault the Mets on this one.

Also, Kevin Millwood would be a solid bottom of the rotation starter that will give you innings. It’s been six years since he last pitched in the NL, so maybe the switch in leagues will also boost his performance initially. Last season he had a 3.67 ERA and won 13 games in 31 starts. In 198 innings pitched, he struck out 123 batters while walking 71.