ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The White Sox are going for it. To what degree, we’ll see.
They made their first splash before the trade deadline at 5 p.m. Monday by acquiring Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo late Saturday for reliever Seranthony Dominguez and prospects Nolan Jones and Boston Smith. The Sox also are picking up the rest of Castillo’s contract.
Castillo, 33, is a three-time All-Star who can add length and playoff experience to a rotation in need of both. Outside of Sean Burke, Sox starters generally are done by the fifth inning, and none has pitched in the postseason. But Castillo’s 5.06 ERA in 20 games this season (17 starts) is the worst of his career.
He figures to get more run support with the Sox, who rank ninth in the majors with 522 runs. The Mariners are 28th with 447. Castillo received three runs or fewer of support in 15 starts and allowed four runs or fewer 13 times.
Castillo might take rookie left-hander Noah Schultz’s spot in the rotation. After two stinkers coming out of the All-Star break, Schultz delivered five innings of one-run ball Saturday against the Rays. But that one run was one too many in a 1-0 loss. Schultz followed opener Jordan Hicks, who threw a perfect first.
After rumblings that the Sox were unlikely to make such a move, general manager Chris Getz dealt a quality prospect in Smith, a catcher who ranks 15th overall in the Sox’ system, according to MLB.com.
Catcher isn’t a strength in the organization. Kyle Teel has missed much of the season with injuries, and Edgar Quero and Drew Romo aren’t providing enough offense. At three minor-league levels this season, Smith has a 1.037 OPS with 22
home runs.
Jones, an outfielder acquired from the Guardians in June, also has some pop, though he isn’t ranked among the Sox’ top 30 prospects. In Triple-A with both franchises this season, Jones has an .807 OPS with 14 homers.
Dominguez, whom the Sox signed to a two-year, $20 million contract in the offseason, lost his closer job about a month ago but has started to come on. He had one of his best innings of the season Saturday, striking out two and throwing 11 of 14 pitches for strikes in a perfect seventh against the Rays.