MLB Trade Rumors: New York Mets should target Starlin Castro?
By Hayden Kane
The Chicago Cubs traded for top shortstop prospect Addison Russell as the centerpiece of the deal that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland Athletics. On the surface that move might seem perplexing, especially considering the glut of infielders in their system and the presence of young shortstop Starlin Castro. Ultimately, however, these kinds of deals are about acquiring top-end talent and figuring out the rest later; you don’t pass on the chance to add a blue-chip prospect like Russell.
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Would this move create a chance for the Cubs to deal Castro? That is the question posed by John Harper of the New York Daily News as he argues that the New York Mets should move in and try to trade for Castro.
"A golden opportunity in the name of Starlin Castro has sprung seemingly out of nowhere, and the Mets need to do everything they can to take advantage of it.If that means trading Zack Wheeler and perhaps even another pitcher to get the best-hitting shortstop this side of Troy Tulowitzki, so be it."
In an overly simplistic way that makes sense: the Cubs traded for a new shortstop, so now they don’t need their old one! There is more to the situation, however, and a number of those factors would seem to point towards Castro staying put.
For one thing shortstop prospects often change positions; many people have already assumed that Russell will eventually move either to third base or to the outfield. For another, it would be awfully hasty for the Mets to send multiple pitchers, as suggested here, for an admittedly intriguing bat in Castro.
The Cubs could be in position to make a subsequent deal involving Castro, but such a deal would likely require an overwhelming offer from a trade partner. Such a deal would be risky indeed, whether from the Mets or some other team. Otherwise the Cubs seem understandably content to hold onto Castro and sort things out with a number of young, talented infielders.