Cubs Trade Castro to Yankees

[Boobaby1]

He hasn't aged the roster. That's silly. He got a pitcher for two years while the pitching in the MiLB matures. He got a guy in Zobrist that can handle multiple spots, is a tough out and does what it takes for the team to win. Trading Castro didn't make the team older and it remains to be seen what else they do this off-season. I liked Castro a lot, but let's not step out to the ledge because they improved the leadership on this team.

Improved the leadership and also kept the payroll flexible to make more moves either this year, or beyond this year.

I am not sure why people are shocked if they improved the team? The meetings have just begun, and there is s lot of time to make moves.

The Cubs needed to nail down some guys and not wait, in which they have dome so far. The starting staff, bullpen, and OBP just got improved.

We are day two in the winter meetings. What's not to like people?

 

[JZsportsfan]

Good Lord, it goes much deeper than that. The 5 or 6 years was the window for all these young talented players before getting paid. But before that you have to think about arbitration which is only 3 years away for some of them...while there is no cap in MLB, it isn't carte blanche. If you have a handful of these fossils nearing the end of their careers that you can't get out from underneath their bigass contracts, then you're forced to move assets again. Similar to the Blackhawks purging. 2 year deals, ok. But when you start hitting 4 like with Zobrist, that's a recipe for disaster...admittedly, its only one so far but I don't like seeing anything that could force good young players out down the line.

There is not going to be a Blackhawks-esque purge with the Cubs. They are a large market team in a league with no salary cap. And come the time most of these guys are getting large deals, Wrigley will be renovated and the new TV deal will be in place.

This is the first signing of this kind. Lackey isn't going to be blocking any Cubs SP talent over the next two years. Zobrist could in fact block someone over the years, but that's the beauty of his versatility. Worst case scenario, he becomes a super Coughlan and can spot start at just about every position.

And if you want to compare them to the Blackhawks, the Blackhawks signed quite a few veterans on shorter deals along the way as well. Cubs biggest weakness last season was the weakness of the middle/end of their rotation and way too many strikeouts keeping them from putting runners on base, and utilizing productive outs. Lackey/Zobrist go nicely in regards to addressing those issues.

 

[DrGonzo]

So if Zobrist is going to start at 2b, what's the plan for Baez this year?

 

[brett05]

Not sure this is the case. I mean trading him after last year shouldn't really have been the move if value is what you're after. I think it just comes down to the fact that the cubs needed a lead off hitter and if not Fowler, Zobrist makes a **** load of sense there. And with the corner OF slots already crowded 2B became the only place for him. I think these series of moves make the cubs better over the next 2-3 years but I'm not 100% sure they do over a longer period. Lot depends on the PTBNL if that is anyone of consequence. I've heard reports of it being Brenden Ryan but not sure that makes sense and I think that broke prior to them later saying PTBNL.

With that being said, I think some are under selling Adam Warren. He by no means is as big a name as Miller was but then Castro was never getting you miller. He's 27 and has a career 7.62 k/9 2.96 bb/9 with a 3.39 ERA and a 3.69 FIP over 289.1 IP. Miller is 7.56 k/9 3.24 bb/9 with a 3.22 ERA and a 3.82 FIP over 575.1 IP. I don't have a scouting report on Warren handy but given he's never been a big prospect AFAIK my guess is he's probably Hendricks. That is to say he's a pitcher who's probably better than people realize but isn't ever going to jump off the page at you. More over, he's depth. You now have a number of guys who realistically can compete with Hammel/Hendricks for the #4/5 slot in the rotation and if one of the starters go down you're not relying on someone like Jokish to fill in.

Many thought Castro was worth at least one if not two tor types. I was the only one who nailed his value.

I agree with everything you wrote

 

[JP Hochbaum]

With the signing of Zobrist and trade of Castro, it likely means Coghlan is gone. If we shed his contract the money here is almost a wash.

Warren is a 5 pitch guy, he won't be a bullpen arm, he will work with Bosio and hope to develop into a solid starter in the 3-5 hole.

I think this move still allows us to get HEyward.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

So if Zobrist is going to start at 2b, what's the plan for Baez this year?

He is playing CF in winter ball. ZObrist will likely play all over the place so Baez will likely get time at SS, 2b, and CF, and possibly corner OF spots.

 

[Parade_Rain]

So if Zobrist is going to start at 2b, what's the plan for Baez this year?

If he isn't traded for a young pitcher, my guess is CF and spot starting at 2B/SS...learning how to be Ben Zobrist.

 

[JimJohnson]

If he isn't traded for a young pitcher, my guess is CF and spot starting at 2B/SS...learning how to be Ben Zobrist.

I don't think Heyward is going to let Baez play CF

 

[dabears253313]

Might as well trade Javier Baez while they can. Remember people said Starlin Castro was BLOCKING Baez? Now Ben Zobrist is.

This wasn't a "salary dump" to get Jason Heyward or whoever else when they're paying Zobrist almost twice as much as what Castro was making.

I hope fans of the Yankees will actually appreciate having a PROVEN 25 year old-3 time all star on their team.

Could have had Justin Upton for Castro straight up a few years ago and Theo told them "nah... click."

Thanks and good luck Starlin.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I don't think Heyward is going to let Baez play CF

If they sign Heyward, look for Soler to be part of a trade for young pitching, too. The Cubs have options.

 

[JimJohnson]

I guess maybe its possible Cubs negotiate a lower price for Heyward and allow him to play a corner spot. And then try to move Baez into CF with Schwarber on the other side. And then it probably makes sense to trade Soler though I'd really like to keep him for another year to see what he can do. His ceiling is very, very high, IMO.

 

[chibears55]

Might as well trade Javier Baez while they can. Remember people said Starlin Castro was BLOCKING Baez? Now Ben Zobrist is.

This wasn't a "salary dump" to get Jason Heyward or whoever else when they're paying Zobrist almost twice as much as what Castro was making.

I hope fans of the Yankees will actually appreciate having a PROVEN 25 year old-3 time all star on their team.

Could have had Justin Upton for Castro straight up a few years ago and Theo told them "nah... click."

Thanks and good luck Starlin.

I just hope Castro doesn't start out slow with the adjustment of new team and league. .
And first mental mistake he makes

NY fans and media will eat him alive and he may never come out if it...

 

[TC in Mississippi]

If they sign Heyward, look for Soler to be part of a trade for young pitching, too. The Cubs have options.

I'm not sure. You may let Heyward play CF for a while and maybe trade Soler at the deadline or next year. Hard to say. they have multiple options. I think that's my favorite part of this offseason so far. They have not even touched the core yet, have set themselves up for a 2016-2017 window and haven't traded any prospects to prohibit a second window for 2018 and beyond. Plus they still have multiple ways they can go this year. People can ***** all they want these have been solid moves so far.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I'm not sure. You may let Heyward play CF for a while and maybe trade Soler at the deadline or next year. Hard to say. they have multiple options. I think that's my favorite part of this offseason so far. They have not even touched the core yet, have set themselves up for a 2016-2017 window and haven't traded any prospects to prohibit a second window for 2018 and beyond. Plus they still have multiple ways they can go this year. People can ***** all they want these have been solid moves so far.

Exactly. They have options. I'm just mystified at the preponderance of this board jumping off a cliff last night.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I guess maybe its possible Cubs negotiate a lower price for Heyward and allow him to play a corner spot. And then try to move Baez into CF with Schwarber on the other side. And then it probably makes sense to trade Soler though I'd really like to keep him for another year to see what he can do. His ceiling is very, very high, IMO.

I agree. I really like Soler. What these guys have e done is create a lot of flexibility in the team defense and who they could trade for pitching needs.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

Many thought Castro was worth at least one if not two tor types. I was the only one who nailed his value.

I agree with everything you wrote

So he was worth the most to the team he was already on and should still be there

 

[Icculus]

Many thought Castro was worth at least one if not two tor types. I was the only one who nailed his value.

I agree with everything you wrote

Every fan of a team overrates the prospects and players on it. The most glaring example of this is the Bulls forum.

 

[DanTown]

Might as well trade Javier Baez while they can. Remember people said Starlin Castro was BLOCKING Baez? Now Ben Zobrist is.

This wasn't a "salary dump" to get Jason Heyward or whoever else when they're paying Zobrist almost twice as much as what Castro was making.

I hope fans of the Yankees will actually appreciate having a PROVEN 25 year old-3 time all star on their team.

Could have had Justin Upton for Castro straight up a few years ago and Theo told them "nah... click."

Thanks and good luck Starlin.

Starlin Castro is owed 4/41.44 of guaranteed money (potential for 5/57). Ben Zobrist is 4/56. That's not double. Also, by year, Zobrist is

2016 - +$3 million
2017 - +$6 million
2018 - +$5 million
2019 - Even

Also, three time all-star is quite fancy. He played a fairly scarce position in the NL and every team has to have an all-star. He also wasn't producing as well the previous three years (.265/.305/.383) as he did his first three (.297/.336/.425). I feel like the people upset over trading Castro are remembering the early years Castro and not what he has become lately.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Good Lord, it goes much deeper than that. The 5 or 6 years was the window for all these young talented players before getting paid. But before that you have to think about arbitration which is only 3 years away for some of them...while there is no cap in MLB, it isn't carte blanche. If you have a handful of these fossils nearing the end of their careers that you can't get out from underneath their bigass contracts, then you're forced to move assets again. Similar to the Blackhawks purging. 2 year deals, ok. But when you start hitting 4 like with Zobrist, that's a recipe for disaster...admittedly, its only one so far but I don't like seeing anything that could force good young players out down the line.

This isn't the NHL, so the comparison to any MLB major market team is moot.
You also get much more value in a 4 year deal as opposed to a 2 year deal.
The Cubs are doing everything the correct way and it's odd to see people overreacting to these moves. They're setting themselves up to be the dominant team in the NL Central until 2020 (and beyonnnnnnnnnnnnd).

There is not going to be a Blackhawks-esque purge with the Cubs. They are a large market team in a league with no salary cap. And come the time most of these guys are getting large deals, Wrigley will be renovated and the new TV deal will be in place.

This is the first signing of this kind. Lackey isn't going to be blocking any Cubs SP talent over the next two years. Zobrist could in fact block someone over the years, but that's the beauty of his versatility. Worst case scenario, he becomes a super Coughlan and can spot start at just about every position.

And if you want to compare them to the Blackhawks, the Blackhawks signed quite a few veterans on shorter deals along the way as well. Cubs biggest weakness last season was the weakness of the middle/end of their rotation and way too many strikeouts keeping them from putting runners on base, and utilizing productive outs. Lackey/Zobrist go nicely in regards to addressing those issues.

[edit] Just read this. Great post.

 

[FrankieLyrical]

Anybody think that maybe the other teams didn't want or had no need for Castro and this was the best offer they got for him

Castro was getting traded. . They weren't keeping him and Baez, and apparently they preferred to keep Baez

I dont know why everyone so up in arms over this
They improved the team without losing any core players

I think they jumped ahead of both the Cardinals and Pirates right now and they still need to add a CFer and depending on who that is could make the offense even better

Exactly. It was always going to be either Baez or Castro traded and I'd rather keep Baez. Better defense and bigger bat. People act like getting a few veterans is making the team "old". We need some veteran presence. Lackey and Zobrist are perfect for this team. The core of the squad is all 26 years and younger.