Chicago Cubs: Time to test Starlin Castro at another position?

There have been many theories on how the Chicago Cubs should handle the soon to be a logjam of infielders.  Addison Russell and Kris Bryant could be called up anytime this month or soon after.  Javier Baez could come up at any time, but he’s not as sure of a call up as Bryant and Russell.

Arismendy Alcantara‘s already playing second base mainly, and there is also Tommy La Stella, Mike Olt, and Jonathan Herrera on the roster.  Starlin Castro is already the everyday shortstop so something has to give here.  

Some of the theories have placed Bryant in the outfield, some at third.  Russell seems destined to take short over Castro – so where does that leave the three-time all-star? Some say trade bait is the best option for the Chicago Cubs; others say left field, second base, and third base.

With the day-to-day status of Olt with his wrist and La Stella hobbled with a right side strain – maybe now would be a good time to try Castro out at third or even second base.  At the early point of the season and some of the questions of who will play where still being asked – maybe now is the time to get some answers.

So far this season Castro hasn’t done anything to prove that he should be the starting shortstop for the Cubs.  He’s only been charged with one error but he has looked lost and out-of-place.  After how he played last season towards the end and Russell on his heels, I thought he’d play better.

His bat is a valuable tool and one that cannot be discounted.  His glove has been a liability too often.  Short stop is one of the tougher positions in baseball and see’s a high amount of action – whereas second base will see slightly less and third less than both.

I see second base as a position that Castro could do better at.  There would be less deep throws and tougher turns to make.  There would be an adjustment at second – having to see more of the middle of the double play routine but nothing that he couldn’t do with repetition.

I still stand by that Castro is too valuable to let go unless the Cubs were blown away with an offer. This testing period would have been better during spring training but that is over with.  I’d rather see these options tested now instead of mid-July after Bryant and Russell could be on the main roster.

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