Reds GM: Rumors of trade sending Castillo to Yankees 'completely false'

Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall shot down reports Sunday that claimed the team had traded ace Luis Castillo to the New York Yankees.

"They are completely false," Krall said, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We intend to have (Luis) as a member of our rotation for 2021."

A Yankees source offered separate confirmation to SNY's Andy Martino that no deal is in place. Castillo's agent, Rafa Nieves, also poured cold water on the rumor.

Speculation about a trade sending Castillo to the Bronx was fueled by several unverified reports on social media earlier Sunday.

Last month, it was reported that the Reds had discussed both Castillo and fellow right-hander Sonny Gray with other teams; the team placed a high asking price on Castillo in particular. While the Yankees and Reds did talk about Castillo, those discussions appear to have been routine and have not advanced in any meaningful way, according to Martino.

Cincinnati apparently asked New York to include shortstop Gleyber Torres in a trade package for Castillo, reports MLB Network's Jon Heyman, who mentions Castillo is very likely to stay with the Reds.

Castillo has pitched for the Reds since 2017. The 28-year-old followed up his 2019 All-Star campaign in solid fashion this past summer, posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while averaging a career-best 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 12 starts.

Castillo's entering his first year of arbitration eligibility and won't reach free agency until after the 2023 season.