By: Nick Kapetan (@KapN93)
Four years ago, the Chicago Cubs had no direction, no plan, and no solution. One year after an 83 win season and two years removed from a second straight playoff berth, Chicago’s inability to provide consistent offense and feature a stable rotation, cost Lou Piniella his job.
After an 11-13 April to start the 2010 campaign, the Cubs called up an unproven shortstop from Class AA to get some experience at the major league level. With incumbent shortstop Ryan Theriot shifting to his more natural position of second base, prospect Starlin Castro began his big league career with a three-run homer and six RBIs in a Cubs 14-7 victory against the Cincinnati Reds. This memoarble debut would serve as a precursor to Castro's first four plus years in the majors. Since 2010, the 24 year old has 790 hits while being elected to the All Star Game three times.
Throughout his hand full of years in the pros, Castro has experienced as much change and struggle as a grizzly veteran. He has played for four different managers, two different general managers, and is the longest tenured Cub on the current roster. Even during the complete overhaul of the Cubs roster done by almighty savior Theo Epstein, Castro has become dependable at the plate.
Four years ago, the Chicago Cubs had no direction, no plan, and no solution. One year after an 83 win season and two years removed from a second straight playoff berth, Chicago’s inability to provide consistent offense and feature a stable rotation, cost Lou Piniella his job.
After an 11-13 April to start the 2010 campaign, the Cubs called up an unproven shortstop from Class AA to get some experience at the major league level. With incumbent shortstop Ryan Theriot shifting to his more natural position of second base, prospect Starlin Castro began his big league career with a three-run homer and six RBIs in a Cubs 14-7 victory against the Cincinnati Reds. This memoarble debut would serve as a precursor to Castro's first four plus years in the majors. Since 2010, the 24 year old has 790 hits while being elected to the All Star Game three times.
Throughout his hand full of years in the pros, Castro has experienced as much change and struggle as a grizzly veteran. He has played for four different managers, two different general managers, and is the longest tenured Cub on the current roster. Even during the complete overhaul of the Cubs roster done by almighty savior Theo Epstein, Castro has become dependable at the plate.
Sure Castro has had his growing pains in the past. At times, the shortstop’s defense has his coaches shaking their heads and fans cursing him out. Castro makes the difficult plays look easy and the routine ones appear impossible. On countless occasions he has either been out of position or just not paying attention. His .245 average and .284 OBP last season made fans question if the pressure from trying to live up to the 8 year $60.57 contract extension he received in 2012 and the distractions off the field, finally caught up to him mentally.
Despite his struggles in 2013, people believed that Castro's long term, team friendly deal, should have signaled that he was the shortstop of the future. What team gives a guy who has already accumulated more than 200 hits in a season, that type of contract and not have him in their plans moving forward?
There were still people proclaiming that the contract was not indicative of anything; that it was not a sign that Castro was the presumed face of the franchise. With shortstop superstar prospect Javier Baez impressing everyone in the minors, people believe that he will be the future at that position.
Despite his struggles in 2013, people believed that Castro's long term, team friendly deal, should have signaled that he was the shortstop of the future. What team gives a guy who has already accumulated more than 200 hits in a season, that type of contract and not have him in their plans moving forward?
There were still people proclaiming that the contract was not indicative of anything; that it was not a sign that Castro was the presumed face of the franchise. With shortstop superstar prospect Javier Baez impressing everyone in the minors, people believe that he will be the future at that position.
At the beginning of the Fourth of July weekend, the Cubs pulled off a deal to acquire Oakland Athletics’ top prospect, shortstop Addison Russell. The newest Cub could be the player that finally pushes Castro out the door.
Whether Russell or Baez makes the move to play second base, having both in future plans means that Castro’s days are surely numbered. Some believe that Castro would shift to third with powerhouse Kris Bryant likely moving to the outfield. However, Castro’s value to the team is greater on the trade market, than at a different position in the field.
The Cubs have a plethora of position players in the minors that will stabilize the lineup for the foreseeable future. One thing that Theo’s rebuilding plan lacks is elite, young starting pitching. Moving Castro to a team in desperate need for their own shortstop of the future, for example the New York Mets, could bring back a pitcher heavy package.
The Cubs have a plethora of position players in the minors that will stabilize the lineup for the foreseeable future. One thing that Theo’s rebuilding plan lacks is elite, young starting pitching. Moving Castro to a team in desperate need for their own shortstop of the future, for example the New York Mets, could bring back a pitcher heavy package.
Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard are two high upside arms that Theo would be looking for in return from the Mets. Arms like these that would make an immediate and lasting impact for the big league club, are what the Cubs would covet. While it is highly unlikely that both are moved for Castro, building a package around one should be sufficient to pry the shortstop away from Chicago.
Castro has never been a guy that has fit in Theo’s master plan. A holdover from the Jim Hendry days, Castro’s inability to consistently sport a high OBP is not what Theo is looking for from someone he hopes to have at the top of the order for the next decade.
With Baez sure to make a splash on the scene when he is called up, and now Russell likely to do the same, the middle of the Cubs infield is crowded. It is now time for the ball club to make it a little less congested by shipping off Castro to a team who needs him more.
Castro has never been a guy that has fit in Theo’s master plan. A holdover from the Jim Hendry days, Castro’s inability to consistently sport a high OBP is not what Theo is looking for from someone he hopes to have at the top of the order for the next decade.
With Baez sure to make a splash on the scene when he is called up, and now Russell likely to do the same, the middle of the Cubs infield is crowded. It is now time for the ball club to make it a little less congested by shipping off Castro to a team who needs him more.
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