Chicago Cubs: Evaluating Starlin Castro's career thus far

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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 13: Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series to win the NLDS 3-1 at Wrigley Field on October 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals with a score of 6 to 4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Starlin Castro was a cornerstone for the Chicago Cubs a few years ago. Now, he wants out of Miami. What could he bring to another team?

Starlin Castro was, in essence, the first step toward rebuilding for the Chicago Cubs. After spending the majority of four seasons in the Cubs’ minor league system, beginning in 2007, Castro made his Major League debut in 2010.

At 20 years old, Castro appeared in 125 games for the Cubs and slashed .300/.347/.408. In addition to that, he logged three home runs (including one in his first major league at-bat) and 41 RBI. After recording 139 hits and an OPS+ of 100 during his rookie season, Castro finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

At that point, the hype was higher than ever. People immediately starting talking about how he would take Chicago to the Promised Land. Now, he’s making headlines as he seeks a trade from a rebuilding Marlins.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 18: Starlin Castro (C) of the Chicago Cubs is greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning on September 18, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Castro posted solid numbers as a Cub

Following his rookie campaign, Castro played five more seasons for the Cubs. From 2011 to 2015, the young middle infielder appeared in three All-Star Games and carved out a reputation as a solid offensive player.

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Over his remaining five years on the North Side, Castro provided the Cubs with solid offense. In 766 games (an average of 153 per season), Castro slashed .278/.317/.404. Along with that, Castro hit 59 home runs and drove in 322 runs (an average of 12 and 64 per season).

It is good news that Castro maintained solid numbers at the plate because he was nothing special on defense for the Cubs. Prior to Addison Russell making his debut in 2015, Castro held down the shortstop position. In over 7,400 innings at the position for the Cubs, Castro recorded 138 errors, including a career-high 29 in 2011. As a Cub, Castro never amassed a fielding percentage higher than .973 at shortstop.

Along with his less-than-stellar fielding percentage, Castro was below-average in defensive runs saved. In his time with the Cubs, Castro saved -30 runs on defense and logged just one season on the positive side of the metric, the 2012 campaign.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Starlin Castro #14 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a double during the second inning against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Castro traded to New York

With the promotion of Addison Russell and presence of Javier Baez and, later, Ben Zobrist, it was apparent that Castro’s time with the Cubs was coming to an end by the conclusion of the 2015 season.

By the middle of December 2015, the 25-year-old was a New York Yankee. Castro was traded to the Yankees for reliever Adam Warren and a player to be named later. The objective of the trade for the Cubs was not to get a lot of talent back, but rather to clear roster space for newly-signed Zobrist.

Despite not giving up much talent, the Yankees got a solid player in Castro. In his first season with the Yankees, Castro slashed .270/.300/.433 with 21 home runs (a career-high) and 70 RBI. Along with that, he recorded 29 doubles and logged an OPS+ of 93.

After posting good numbers in his first season with his new team, Castro built upon that success in 2017. Even though a hamstring injury limited him to 112 games last season, the middle infielder slashed .300/.338/.454. Along with that, Castro recorded 16 home runs and 63 RBI to accompany his 106 OPS+.

On the defensive side of the ball, things did not get better for Castro after joining his new team. After sliding over to second base following the trade, Castro logged 23 errors in two seasons. While that is a decrease from his days with the Cubs, his .975 fielding percentage and -12 runs saved at the position are still below-average.

Castro traded back to the National League

Two years, almost to the date after his trade to New York, Castro was on the move again. This time, the 27-year-old was traded to the Miami Marlins as part of the Giancarlo Stanton deal.

Stanton was dealt to the Yankees as part of a salary dump by the Marlins’ new ownership group. Castro, who is controlled through 2019 with a team option for 2020, will make around $10 million in 2018. Right now, the former Cubs star is the Marlins’ starting second baseman as the team attempts to trade more valuable pieces.

Despite the trade, Castro is already unhappy with his new home and wants out of Miami. Personally, I cannot blame him for wanting another trade. He has spent the better part of his career on a rebuilding Cubs team and does not want to go through that again with the Marlins.

If the Marlins do end up trading Castro, there could be a market for the youngster. At just 27 (28 by the time the 2018 season starts) and under contract for two more seasons, he could help a contending team in 2018. In addition to his contract status, Castro has proven to be a solid offensive threat while being able to hit left-handed and right-handed pitching about the same throughout his career.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 29: Second baseman Starlin Castro #14 of the New York Yankees allows Curt Casali of the Tampa Bay Rays to reach first base on an error during the fifth inning of a game on May 29, 2016 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Defense still a concern for Castro

The only downside to Castro is his defense. Despite his struggles, the move to second base has accounted for a drop in errors, meaning there could be light at the end of the defensive tunnel for Castro.

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Overall, if the price is right, there are some teams that could benefit from bringing Castro aboard. Wherever the youngster ends up, I know Cubs fans will be rooting for him. That is, unless he winds up in St. Louis.

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Chicago Cubs: Evaluating Starlin Castro’s career thus far