With just days away from the MLB trading deadline, everyone was waiting for that first big move to start the domino effect across the league. Seattle was the team to kick things off by trading for Cincinnati Reds ace, Luis Castillo, giving up infielders Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo, and RHP's Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore.
Castillo was the most highly coveted starter on the market and Jerry Dipoto seems to have been aggressive enough to outbid teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. With speculation surrounding where the Mariners were going to look to improve, it seems as though starting pitching was the first priority for the Mariners GM, and he got his guy.
Now the focus turns to if and how the M's will look to improve their lineup. With a somewhat depleted prospect package available to offer just after giving up 3 of the organizations top 5 prospects, another blockbuster trade for someone like Juan Soto seems unlikely, but that doesn't mean there aren't options available.
With this vote of confidence from the front office, the M's will look to continue their hot streak on the field, and keep pushing for that first postseason birth in 21 years.