Chicago Cubs: Starlin Castro continues to handle himself well despite adversity

Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman

(13) throws out Chicago White Sox catcher

(not pictured) during the seventh inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro continues to display high character despite undergoing the worst season of his professional baseball career. The former three-time All-Star selection has faced a lot of adversity this season. August has been a particularly tough month for the 25-year-old product from the Dominican Republic.

However, despite his recent demotion and all the trade rumors that include his name, Castro continues to hold himself together. He could have created major drama out of his situation, but he didn’t. The Chicago Cubs owe him for that.

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In his sixth Major League season, Castro has struggled at the plate and in the field. He has slashed .239/.273/.304 (all career lows) in 451 plate appearances this season. In addition, he has committed 18 errors at shortstop and one error at second base.

Those 18 errors at shortstop are the fourth most among qualified shortstops in the MLB.

Over the last couple of weeks, Castro has handled himself with the utmost class and professionalism. He has remained singularly focused on improving his game and hasn’t allowed outside circumstances to become a distraction.

Despite the adversity that he has faced this season, Castro continues to maintain a winning attitude and has helped this team out by not allowing his situation to become a distraction and continuing to mature as a human being and a baseball player.

Next: The demotion

Jul 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Castro’s tough season climaxed with an unexpected demotion at the beginning of August.

On August 7, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon opted to sit Castro for the entirety of the Chicago Cubs 7-3 victory against the San Francisco Giants. Maddon made it clear from the beginning that Castro’s demotion wasn’t necessarily a temporary move.

I did not give him any promises on how he is going to be utilized, other than ‘just stay ready off the bench. I didn’t want to give him any kind of false promises whatsoever. I want to see how it plays today, but I wanted to be upfront with him and just let him know it’s not just a day off. –Quote obtained by Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan

In the games that he played since the original demotion, Castro played second base and not his familiar shortstop position. However, the makeup of the roster creates a logjam at second base, calling into question Castro’s role on this team moving forward.

From Joe Maddon‘s perspective, former outfielder Chris Coghlan presents a better everyday option at second base because he hits better than Castro. Coghlan played 246 minor league games at second base.

Castro continues to handle the entire process with the utmost class and professionalism, demonstrating that on this team each player defers to the overarching needs of the team.

Normally, a demotion of this size would warrant a stab to the ego, especially for Castro who has spent the entirety of his career with the Chicago Cubs as an everyday shortstop. Although he admitted to reporters that he was initially upset with the demotion, he said he could accept the move if it gave his team the best chance to win.

In the beginning I take it very personally. Feel a little frustrated, especially when they tell me I’m not going to play (until) I don’t know when. They know what they’re doing. They know it’s better for me and it’s better for other players. Whatever decision they make, I’m in. —Quote obtained by Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Skrbina

After Maddon benched him initially on August 7, Castro didn’t receive playing time until the sixth inning of the Chicago Cubs 6-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 11. The following two games he earned spot minutes and in the Cubs three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, he earned the start in all three games.

He received playing time in both of the Cubs games against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bare in mind, however; that in American League stadiums, National League teams can carry a designated hitter opening up an extra roster spot.

The most important aspect of this entire situation is the fact that Castro hasn’t created clubhouse drama. His ‘we before me’ approach to the situation shows that his mindset is in the right place. He hasn’t complained about his reduced role and continues to try to improve himself to earn playing time.

Next: The trade rumors

Aug 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder

against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Castro hasn’t allowed trade rumors to distract him from his goal of eventually becoming an everyday player again for the Chicago Cubs. In fact, his approach to trade rumors has changed for the better within the last couple of weeks.

Earlier this month, rumors linked Philadelphia Phillies veteran second basemen Chase Utley to the Chicago Cubs. The addition of Utley would undoubtedly reduce Castro’s already limited role on this team. Despite the prospect of yet another demotion, Castro said he isn’t worrying about something that he can’t control

Don’t even think about that. I don’t even watch the news, I can’t put something (trade rumors) in my mind that I can’t control. I try not to let those kinds of things (trade rumors) bother me. I just come in every day and work had and try to do my best, and whatever they have to do with me, they’ll do it. I can’t control that. –Quote obtained by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Gordon Wittenmyer

Castro’s response to the Chase Utley rumors came in stark contrast to the way he handled trade rumors before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. In the days leading up to the deadline, Castro said that the trade rumors were bothering him.

It’s difficult sometimes. I’m not supposed to be thinking about this. Sometimes when we’re not doing good rumors sometimes are on my mind. It’s not supposed to. – Castro via ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers

In fact, Castro was so distraught about these trade rumors that he had a meeting with Joe Maddon to calm his nerves.

I [Joe Maddon] said, ‘You’re not getting traded. Just relax and play. And don’t worry about this stuff. —Quote obtained by ESPN Chicago reporter Jesse Rogers

Unsurprisingly, Castro’s performance suffered in the games leading up to the July 31 deadline because he was more focused on the trade rumors than performing well during games. According to baseball reference, in the seven games leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline, Castro slashed .200/.231/.240 with three RBI and four strikeouts at the plate.

Aug 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second basemen Starlin Castro (13) dives and attempts a play during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

In Castro’s case, a difficult situation forced him to mature quickly. His approach to his demotion as well as the way he has handled the most recent trade rumors points to a more mature player. Another prevailing theme over the last few weeks was his willingness to defer to the team.

In his response to the Chase Utley rumors, Castro mentioned that he doesn’t have control over the situation and that he has to “come in every day and work hard and try to do my best.”

This is the mentality that a contending team wants from one of its struggling players. Castro continues to deflect attention away from himself, preventing this team from dealing with any unneeded distractions. He has made the best of a bad situation.

Also, Utley was reunited with his longtime teammate, Jimmy Rollins when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday afternoon.

Next: Castro has played well in reduced role

Aug 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) and second baseman

(22) celebrates after beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 for their fifth straight win at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Amid the recent demotion and all the trade rumors, Castro has played some decent baseball when he has been given opportunities.

According to Baseball Reference, in the seven games and 19 plate appearances since his original demotion, he has a batting average of .316. Sure, it is a small sample size but considering the situation, there are significant implications to this small achievement.

Compare this plate production to the days leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline and it is pretty obvious that he is handling himself better this time around.

Castro continues to hold his head up despite undergoing the worse season of his career. He continues to try to get better and is willing to contribute to this team whenever and wherever possible. The fact that he hasn’t tanked in his last 19 at-bats since the demotion speaks positively towards his mental approach to the entire situation.

He continues to try to get better so he can help this team win moving forward. He hasn’t quit on himself and, more importantly, he hasn’t quit on the team.

A guy that holds his head high and works to improve despite suffering through demotion and trade rumors is a player that needs to stick around because he will help the team.

Next: Conclusion