Fansided

MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

By Baasil Ebrahim

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 30: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 30: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres

Starlin Castro, 2B

The Padres went for it this year. They signed Eric Hosmer in hopes that they could make their way into the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, they’re sitting in last place in the NL West and don’t seem like they are going on an extreme run. So, they need to look to try again next year, but taking a minimal risk this year wouldn’t hurt either.

Right away, their depth chart screams for help at second base, and the stats back it up. They have the third worst batting average at second base this year, something they can’t have in a competitive division that requires a great team to win.

The Padres still have a team payroll just below 100 million so they can afford to pay a player slightly more than they would want to. That is where Starlin Castro is perfect. His contract s a little more than you want to pay for him, but you have him for this year and next. So, he plugs the hole next year as well when they go for the playoffs again.

Castro has been a very consistent player in his career. He is a career .282 hitter who is above that at .288 this year. That level of production can be counted on from him year in and year out, as with the exception of 1 year, he has had a batting average above .260 every season. He will solve the Padres second base issue, while giving them good production as a mainstay in their lineup.

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