Should the Cubs Consider Trading Starlin Castro?

Starlin Castro

The Cubs were horrendous in 2012, that much is obvious.  However, the team had a few bright spots in first baseman Anthony Rizzo, starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, and shortstop Starlin Castro.  Castro, only age 22, has been a Cubs regular since 2010 (he collected six RBI in his first MLB game) and he hasn't disappointed - after three seasons in in Chicago he carries a career .297 average, has already eclipsed 500 career hits, and has increased his power each season.

Castro may even be the best young shortstop in the game.  Doubt it?  Try naming one better.  Even with a prolonged slump in 2012, he still posted a .283 batting average, hit 14 home runs and 12 triples, and 78 runs.  He ranked seventh among shortstops in batting average - no one above him was younger. He led all shortstops in RBI (78) and triples (tied at 12 with Jose Reyes), and was third among shortstops in hits (183).  Remember, this is a 22 year-old who has consistently produced at the major league level.  Guys like that don't come around often.

Starlin does have his problems though.  A perceived lack of effort and concentration has led to a position-leading 27 errors in 2012.  Asdrubal Cabrera, who was second in shortstop errors, wasn't even close (19).  Castro still has problems with plate discipline as well - his strikeouts have increased and his on-base percentage has deceased each year he has been in the majors.  He only walked 36 times in a league-leading 646 at bats in 2012.  He isn't polished by any means.

Javier Baez

The question is simple: Do the Cubs think that Starlin Castro is a necessary piece on which to build the foundation of a winning team?  A good shortstop is a necessity, but it is possible that Castro could be replaced.  The Cubs currently have top prospect Javier Baez waiting in the minors and while he isn't polished either he has star potential written all over him.  Baez turns 20 on December 1 and last season at Single A Peoria he hit .333 in 57 games with 12 homers and 33 RBI.  He's raw, but his performance in the Arizona Fall League showed he has the tools to be a success in Chicago.

If the Cubs trust that Baez will eventually be ready to step in as the Cubs' everyday shortstop, will they be willing to trade Starlin?  Castro recently signed a seven year, $60 million dollar deal, which means some teams will automatically be out of any possible deal, but other teams will jump at the chance to acquire a good shortstop at a relatively affordable price.  If the Cubs can find the right player to target - say, Justin Upton of the Diamondbacks - Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer must seriously consider making a move.  Losing Castro may be unpopular with some fans, but pulling the trigger on a deal could lead to a more competitive Cubs team.

It's Been Awhile... Let's Get Some Runs!

So it's been awhile since I posted on my blog. My bad I know - I've been busy and just generally got out of the habit of posting.  Whoops.  Anyway, baseball is finally back and I decided to spend a measly twenty dollars on MLB.com in order to listen to every Cubs game.  Why the hell didn't I do this years ago?  That little for so many Chicago losses (and maybe a few wins?).  Just hearing the organ play behind the deep voice of Pat Hughes - life couldn't get any better.  Actually, strike that.  My friend Stuart just sent me a picture of himself sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley and I'm sitting in the Trinity College library writing a policy implementation paper.  Booyah...

Anyway, the season is back and the Cubs lost their first game of the season.  All feels right in the world again.  It should be an interesting season, what with Theo beginning to mold the Cubs into a possible winner but having to wait through what should be longggg summer of 2012.  For any Cubs fan, the beginning of the season brings the possibility of fielding a winner, tempered with the reality that come October, we'll be watching different teams duke it out in the playoffs.  Despite that fact, this is still the absolute best time of year.  Now if only I could stop writing this paper and fly to Chicago.

I'll leave you all with the most recent New Era commercial, celebrating a great Chicago rivalry (even though the Cubs are clearly superior).