REPORT: Chicago Cubs trade infielder Starlin Castro to the Yankees

The Chicago Cubs have sent infielder Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees in exchange for relief pitcher Adam Warren and utility man Brendan Ryan according to CBS New York.

In signing the ex-Royals utility man Ben Zobrist moments earlier for four years and $56 million, the Cubs briefly created an even larger logjam in the middle infield adding Zobrist to a roster that already had Castro, Javier Baez, and Addison Russell.

There had been rumors all season about the Cubs shopping Castro and that shopping continued until today.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

The Cubs, in dealing Castro, shed themselves of his $40.5M remaining over the next four seasons, potentially setting them up for another free agent signing. The former All-Star shortstop has had a difficult past two seasons that sunk as low as a benching at the midpoint of last season.

Chicago moved Castro to second base after that, where he rebounded showing flashes of his all-star form. He finished last season hitting .265 with 11 home runs and 69 RBIs but fell far short of expectations.

New York acquires the 25-year-old infielder with hopes that he can rebound to be the player the Cubs thought would be a cornerstone for years to come when he signed his seven years, $60 million extension back in 2012.

The Cubs meanwhile acquire a solid right-handed pitcher in Adam Warren. The 28-year-old pitcher started 17 games for the Yankees last season to go with 26 relief appearances, giving the Cubs the flexibility the love to have.

It is unknown if Warren will be solely used out of the bullpen or is seen as a potential No. 5 starter, but it does give Manager Joe Maddon options.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

During the 2015 campaign, Warren went 7-7 with a 3.29 ERA with 104 K’s while issuing 39 walks.

The new Cubs pitcher is arbitration eligible this year and will need to agree to a new deal or face arbitration before pitching for Chicago in 2016.

In addition to Warren, the Cubs receive utility man Brendan Ryan. The nine-year veteran joins his fourth team in the Chicago Cubs and will battle for a spot on the major league roster.

Last season, the Yankees used Ryan at first, second, third base and right field in addition to his natural shortstop position. Over 43 games he hit .229 in 103 plate appearance. At age 34, Ryan is due $1 million next season, his last year of his contract.

This deal ends the drama that was Starlin Castro’s tenure with the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs acquiring both a useful commodity in Adam Warren and shedding themselves of Castro’s contract, it not only reduces the logjam in the middle infield but also opens the opportunity to sign a high-priced free agent.

With a need in center field and at the back-end of the rotation, the rumors won’t be slowing down around the Cubs anytime soon.