Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog is reporting that the Cubs are looking for pitching in a Starlin Castro trade, 'according to people familiar with the organization'. With Javier Baez breathing down his neck much more quickly than expected and the equally fast-moving Kris Bryant blocking Baez from moving to 3b, the Cubs might have to make up their mind sooner than they planned with Castro. Castro's replacement level season in 2013 can't be helping much either. Even Alcantara could probably have outhit Castro's numbers, which is another, though smaller, source of upward pressure on him.
It's always been tough to read how the organization feels about Castro. On the one hand, major league quality 23 year olds at premium positions are exactly the kind of assets that the Superfriends have been saying they want to build around since day one, and they liked him enough to gave him a team-friendly seven year extension last summer. On the other hand, one of the other things that this front office has been stressing that the Cubs org in general needs to get better at is on base percentage, something that Castro has had *just* a bit of trouble with. It may have been a big part of his struggles this year, as Castro changed his approach to take more pitches and became a far worse hitter. He eventually gave up and went back to his free swinging self for the last month or so of the season and went from being awful to just kinda bad. He's also been a flashpoint with each of his last two managers for his defensive lapses, and while that may have had as much to do with the managers as him it's still something that follows him around now.
One other obvious pressing need for the team is the complete and utter lack of young pitching in their system. They have a few interesting arms, but most of them are way down in the minors and we know well enough what to count on from pitching prospects. Seeing the flurry of insane flamethrowing rookie pitching from the Cardinals this postseason was disheartening to say the least, and only highlighted this issue for Cubs fans (at least, for me, and I guess GBTS's mom too – say hi to her for me).
If the Cubs hold on to Castro, the big question is then what they do with him. Baez sticking at SS seems to sound like more of a possibility than it was a year ago, despite roughly 821 errors last year. Castro's best asset at SS has always been his range, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a plus defender at second. The other possibility that's been floated around is to move him to CF, but I'd have to take a wait and see approach on that one. I do feel confident in saying that I'd much rather have a top (or top-ish) young starter than Castro in CF.
Of course, one other problem is that if the Cubs trade Castro this offseason, they'd certainly be selling low. He just looked absolutely awful last year. Maybe if he bounces back next year the Cubs could get a lot more for him next offseason, as that gaping pitching hole isn't going anywhere. But you have to worry a bit about teams seeing that they need to move him if it looks clear that Baez is going to take his job, thus hurting his value.
Comments
Trading Castro wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’d expect to get quite a lot in return and that’s a good enough reason to consider it.
dmick89Quote Reply
If the front office thinks Baez can stick at shortstop, I think trading Castro is a good idea.
dmick89Quote Reply
Any reason he can’t play 2nd? He’s better than Barney with a bat.
P. HertzQuote Reply
@ P. Hertz:
I think he’d be pretty good at 2b, though might have to worry about Alcantara outhitting him there if things keep going like they’re going.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://www.chicagonow.com/loxas-factor/2013/10/cardinals-calling-about-starlin-castro/
Those are about the last two teams I would expect to make a swap involving Castro and pitching (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
If the Cubs managed to get Carlos Martinez in such a deal I would shit fifteen bricks.
BerseliusQuote Reply
It’s weird to me that they’d listen to a Wacha/Martinez for Castro deal but seem to have no interest in Taveras for Profar.
sitrickQuote Reply
Ausmus ————————–> interview
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Based on what Theo did in Boston, I’d say there’s a 0% chance that he trades Castro to St. Louis. IIRC, Theo didn’t make a trade with the Yankees until he got to Chicago. The Yankees/Red Sox are different than the Cubs/Cardinals no matter what some Cubs fans want to think, but it’s still the Cubs main rival. I don’t see it.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Jesus, there’s not that much difference between managers.
dmick89Quote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
Yeah, I think there’s zero chance there too. Even aside from the Theo stuff the Lou Brock trade basically shut that door forever.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Dave McKay —-> D’Backs
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
That trade probably doesn’t help, but these types of things between rivals just don’t happen often. Especially trades that could end up really screwing you. I wouldn’t want to be the Cubs making such a trade (even for the best Cardinals prospects imaginable). I also wouldn’t want to be the Cardinals making the deal either. Best case scenario in these trades is that the players end up never playing another day in the big leagues. Even a trade that benefits both teams will be judged based on wins, which are for a large part out of any individual player’s hands.
dmick89Quote Reply
B, don’t have managerial experience at Wendy’s or Stats-R-Us? I think that now qualifies you to interview for the Cubs after Torey Luvello.
SVBQuote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/minor-leagues/stars-of-tomorrow-cubs-minor-league-recap-11-1-13.html
dmick89Quote Reply
When they start telling us who offered up this rumor on a Castro trade, I mean name that person in the Cubs front office, I’ll believe it. Otherwise, I find it just more crap to feed through the rumor mill to kick off the off season. I mean, the Cubs can’t even be sure that Baez can hit major league pitching, and they are going to trade Castro now, when his stock is low. Sounds to me like other teams wants the Cubs to trade Casto, because his stock is low.
Castro is very coachable, and the Cubs would never trade him before giving a new manager time to work with him. That would be stupid, and Theo is anything but that.
AmieQuote Reply
theo better start somewhere and he better start soon
oggyQuote Reply
Trading Castro is a must if you want to play in a World Series . He doesn’t prepare like a winner nor carry himself like one . He is totally immature and doesn’t understand the value of the gifts God gave him . Trade him today for young talent
Bike JediQuote Reply
Bike Jedi wrote:
Fixed
LukasQuote Reply
It never ceases to amaze me how anyone including WGN’s Cap can even realistically talk about a Cub pennant let alone a world series appearance in terms of 2-3 years. They are rebuilding the farm system that is admirable but many or most other teams already have better systems and will be a moving target going foreword. Nothing wrong with being positive or hopeful, I wish they would win it now and have been for over 50 years. Being a realistic die hard Cub fan I hope I am wrong in thinking in terms of 2 years give or take a year or so. Miracles are always possible. Ownership is trying to paint a shorter horizon to keep some fans in the park. It is much easier to attain that goal by going 2-3 years and then saying we believe we are 1-2 years away than to say 2018 or 2019 now. I think it is easier on the stomach to realistically think 18 or 19 now then be thrilled if it happens sooner.
rdQuote Reply
It may be time to part ways with him for pitching. The organization does not fit him. I don’t see Baez and Bryant being tinkered with to fit the on base mold due to their huge power upside. Tinkering with Castro last year completely ruined his approach and resulted in the bad season. I think Castro needs a fresh start somewhere else and he will recover just fine and we will get a solid pitcher in r eturn. Otherwise I wouldn’t make the deal.
nickQuote Reply
Baez needs to have at least one more full year in the minors before arriving in Chicago. That gives castro one year to bounce back. I believe Castro will bounce back and be at least a 270 hitter and play respectable defense. If Castro doesn’t improve enough next year and Baez plays well at Tennesee and Iowa next year than I would trade Castro for a good pitching prospect. Trying Castro at 2nd base doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
TimQuote Reply